Piano Guidance
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Can your fingers shrink in size?

Changes in “finger size” can be attributed to temperature change, eating certain foods, and doing activities with your hands. Your finger size may change as much as half of a size in one day, or at the very least between summer and winter.

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Fingers can be fickle, so finding a flawless fit can be fatiguing. Here’s what our professional jewelry team has to say about proper ring sizing!

Why does my ring feel perfect some days, and too loose or too tight on others?

Let’s be honest, your ring will probably not always fit perfectly. The reality is that our fingers constantly change throughout the day and throughout the year. Changes in “finger size” can be attributed to temperature change, eating certain foods, and doing activities with your hands. Your finger size may change as much as half of a size in one day, or at the very least between summer and winter.

I already have a ring that fits. Why does my engagement ring have to be a different size?

Each finger is actually a different size, and most of the time the fingers on your right hand are about half a size bigger than your fingers on your left hand. Also, your individual finger doesn’t have an exact “size” that will always feel comfortable. The size of the ring will need to change depending on it’s style, width, and weight. For instance, on the same finger you may wear a 6 1/2 in a thin ring and a 7 in a wide ring.

How do I know my ring size?

Our experienced jewelry professionals can measure your finger with our metal ring gauges (as opposed to plastic gauges which are not as exact.) There is no charge for this service and it only takes a minute! And keep in mind, if your ring came from us the first sizing is always free. Are you ready? Here is the secret our professionals use to size your finger…

We judge it by how you take the ring off.

Here is what we are looking for:

-Relative ease sliding the ring on with a little extra push going over the knuckle. -A little bit of resistance coming off over the knuckle, but not so much that you need to twist the ring or reach for the Windex. (Yes, Windex. See our blog post: Remove Your Ring Not Your Finger) We would rather the ring be more tight than loose, and of course we use our discretion depending on time of year. If it’s easy for you to get your ring off, then it’s going to be easy for it to come off in your pocket, between the car seats, or in a glove. Don’t be afraid of the ring feeling a little tight at first, it might just take some getting used to. The goal is for it to stay on! Many rings have been lost because they were too loose, but no one has ever lost a ring that fit snug.

Jordan Rayne

GIA Diamonds Graduate, GIA AJP

Designer and Consultant for HPerry Jewelers since 2013

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Why do some pianists play with flat fingers?

However, in slow passages, you'll see Horowitz and other pianists such as Glenn Gould sometimes playing with flat fingers. This technique can allow for different tonal gradations which are difficult to achieve with rounded fingers.

If you’ve taken piano lessons and listened to your teacher, they undoubtedly told you to play with rounded fingers – having your hand shaped like you’re holding a ball. If this is true, then why did one of the greatest pianists of all time play with flat fingers? Did Vladimir Horowitz play with flat fingers? The answer is yes; there is some truth to this!

Difference Between Round Fingers and Flat Fingers

You may wonder why you’re supposed to play the piano with rounded fingers? It’s very simple: if you play with your fingers outstretched you don’t get the benefit of using all of your finger joints. First of all, some fingers are longer than others. So thumbs and pinkies don’t reach all the keys! When rounding the fingers, they all form a straight line so your fingers are all over keys. Also, when playing fast passage work, it is necessary to play with curved fingers in order to play with speed. However, in slow passages, you’ll see Horowitz and other pianists such as Glenn Gould sometimes playing with flat fingers. This technique can allow for different tonal gradations which are difficult to achieve with rounded fingers. On the accompanying video, you will hear two versions of the beginning of Chopin’s Prelude in E minor, one with rounded fingers and the other playing with outstretched fingers.

Can You Hear the Difference?

I’m interested in your impressions of this demonstration. Do you see the value of playing with rounded fingers for fast passage work? And do you hear a difference in the tone playing with flat fingers? How many of you have tried this technique? We would be very interested in your thoughts about this. Again, this is Robert Estrin at LivingPianos.com Your Online Piano Store 949-244-3729 [email protected]

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