Big Hands via the knife

william9636 · 02-02-2008, 05:45 AM

I often read or hear that a famous composer from the past slit the webbing in their fingers to make their hands larger. Sometimes the anecdote is about Liszt, sometimes it is Rachmaninov.

Is there any conclusive evidence either way about this, because I cannot believe that either man would need to improve their playing in such a way. Anyone have any thoughts?

(I assume no-one here has first hand experience).

Timestorm · 02-02-2008, 01:17 PM

Cheers for that man. I just ate. Sounds like the Jackass paper cuts skit gone awry. Hahaha, sorry, can't help you! Boy... am i glad i logged on today....

Teletubby · 02-02-2008, 06:41 PM

LAWL...

Wont be long...plastic surgeons will be offering finger extenzionz ftw!!?!

Spekko · 02-14-2008, 07:17 AM

I think the story originates because bronze casts taken of Liszt's hands show that, while his hands weren't particularly large, the webbing normal human hands have was almost non-existent.

I've actually heard the same thing about Joe Satriani... so I'm willing to bet that, while at some point someone in history has tried this, it hasn't been any of the names commonly associated with the myth.

JazzMick · 02-14-2008, 12:28 PM

I think its a myth. Why would you bother really? for one, that slight webbing stretches like any skin or muscle, and will stretch to the point of no return. That point being the point your fingers break because the bones and nuckle literally cant bend any further.

So if anyone has actually gone to the trouble of having surgery. I argue that they were wasting their time.

02-02-2008, 05:45 AM	#1
william9636 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 4	Big Hands via the knife I often read or hear that a famous composer from the past slit the webbing in their fingers to make their hands larger. Sometimes the anecdote is about Liszt, sometimes it is Rachmaninov. Is there any conclusive evidence either way about this, because I cannot believe that either man would need to improve their playing in such a way. Anyone have any thoughts? (I assume no-one here has first hand experience). __________________ Learn The Piano With Download,Piano Lessons, Books And Software

02-02-2008, 06:41 PM	#3
Teletubby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 266	LAWL... Wont be long...plastic surgeons will be offering finger extenzionz ftw!!?! Last edited by Teletubby; 02-02-2008 at 06:44 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tired/Weak Hands Help!	Dolan	Guitar Technique	6	01-21-2008 08:03 PM
Playing with a delay / Big Sur Moon / Buckethead	EricV	Guitar Technique	10	12-19-2007 08:05 AM
shaky hands	mattfnk	Guitar Technique	3	03-22-2006 02:28 AM
big hands defined	syan	Guitar Technique	6	01-31-2006 01:54 AM
cheating on chords	peter_traj	Guitar Technique	7	07-15-2002 08:45 PM

02-02-2008, 01:17 PM	#2
Timestorm Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Posts: 70	Cheers for that man. I just ate. Sounds like the Jackass paper cuts skit gone awry. Hahaha, sorry, can't help you! Boy... am i glad i logged on today....

02-14-2008, 07:17 AM	#4
Spekko Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 31	I think the story originates because bronze casts taken of Liszt's hands show that, while his hands weren't particularly large, the webbing normal human hands have was almost non-existent. I've actually heard the same thing about Joe Satriani... so I'm willing to bet that, while at some point someone in history has tried this, it hasn't been any of the names commonly associated with the myth.

02-14-2008, 12:28 PM	#5
JazzMick Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 399	I think its a myth. Why would you bother really? for one, that slight webbing stretches like any skin or muscle, and will stretch to the point of no return. That point being the point your fingers break because the bones and nuckle literally cant bend any further. So if anyone has actually gone to the trouble of having surgery. I argue that they were wasting their time.