I am just starting to learn the basic bols (using David Courtney's book/cd set) and find that I am challenged (on the dayan) by the fact that I have rather small hands.
The truth is, the smallest women's gloves are too large for me! As an example, my right index finger is 2 and 1/4 inches long as contrasted with my husband's which is 3 and 1/2 inches. The distance across my palm from the base of the thumb is only 3 inches.
The point of all this is that certain hand/finger positions illustrated in the book are extremely difficult (if possible at all) and leave me little or no "distance" to put any force into the stroke, once my hand's spread out that far, particularly with my index finger. (I hope this description makes sense.)
Does anyone have any suggestions for acceptable variations in hand/finger position that would help? Also, as far as strength goes, I know that it should develop as I practice, but have any of you come across hand exercises that are helpful?
Juni,
I've seen a video of a young girl by the name of Rimpa Shiv performing onstage when she was 10 years old. Her hands would have been about the same size as yours - and probably much smaller when she began her training.
You're biggest obstacle will be to find a teacher.
How are you doing with that, any luck?
I agree with Annandha. If you go to world book of guiness records website. search tabla and you will find a small kid playing tabla, and look at the size of his hands. they are extremly tiny, but he seems to have no problems at all. Find a good teach who will beable to help you train and establish the right hand/finger positions.
