mel jacobson on sat 20 aug 05
like standards of excellence, each finds their own way.
as a lefty, i found that my dominant hand was the left...inside
hand. in fact i think most western throwing is done with the left hand
as dominant.
i may be wrong...but i think your left hand is very well trained
even when you are right handed.
i started on a leach kick wheel. right handed...warren just said it
would be easier.
it is interesting that all japanese potters are right handed.
they have a strong right handed population.
they throw clockwise...the right hand is inside the pot.
hmmmm, interesting. just the opposite of western right handed potters.
they are skilled potters.
so, why if we throw counter clock...does not the left hand
dominate the throwing? just as the japanese potters right
hand is dominant.
????? no one ever answers that question.
working with tools is always a complex physics problem. that is
why critical thinking is important when you teach tools. think about it.
it is not emotional...`oh, i don't like this.` the american way..
it should be more natural for a lefty to throw counter clock.
it is poor instruction for lefties that causes a great deal of confusion.
i have seen it for years. i have had to straighten out many messes.
just like stephanie. and, as a left handed person...had to figure out
many ways to do it.
as will everyone that throws pots. you find a way.
it is easy to say.
`get kick wheels`...that is not the answer.
kick wheels take up a great deal of space...i could never fit
35 kick wheels into hopkins high art department...i got 35 brent c's
in there just fine.
many of the folks out there have the wheel they have.
you learn to adapt. if you learn left...well that may be it for you.
donald jackson, the calligrapher says that no one should put a
calligraphy pen in your left hand. does not work.
he claims, and i agree, if you start with the pen in your right hand,
practice...and not think of it as hand writing...you can become a
right handed calligrapher. same for pots.
it is a matter of training your brain, and your hand.
it is how you start.
i was never a bully with lefties...i nursed them along. showed them
how i did it....let them feel the power of the left hand inside the pot.
use legs to push clay. showed them how to use the entire body.
if a person thinks they are at a disadvantage with their left hand...
feel left out...well....they will not mature on the wheel.
i never had a lefty that did not take to counter/clock throwing.
but, they started with no previous information. they trusted what
i had them do. step after step.
to change is almost impossible. many with terrible throwing habits, and
man are they around...never change. many will have physical problems
much later because of it.
just the way it is.
mel
from mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
http://home.comcast.net/~figglywig/clayart.htm
for gail's year book.
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on sat 20 aug 05
Hi Mel,
I think the 'reason' why americans who are right handed Throw
counter-clockwise, with their left hand in the Pot...
Is because for having too stiff of Clays generally,
the use of force, or enough force, in centering, leads them to have the
right
hand, the stonger hand and arm, applying itself from the outside in, where
the most force is
needed...
Secondly, in Trimming, right handers will more naturally wish to hold the
Trimming Tool in their right hand, and hence, be turning their Wheel
counter-clockwise...
Phil
el ve
----- Original Message -----
From: "mel jacobson"
<<<<<>>>>
> so, why if we throw counter clock...does not the left hand
> dominate the throwing? just as the japanese potters right
> hand is dominant.
> ????? no one ever answers that question.
> working with tools is always a complex physics problem. that is
> why critical thinking is important when you teach tools. think about it.
> it is not emotional...`oh, i don't like this.` the american way..
> it should be more natural for a lefty to throw counter clock.
<<<<>>>>
> mel
> from mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
> website: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
> http://home.comcast.net/~figglywig/clayart.htm
> for gail's year book.
Meryl Ruth on tue 23 aug 05
I am left handed too. I learned to throw right handed easily. Now I feel =
that I have a great advantage over others because when I finish my =
pieces, "tool" them, I can do so with both hands. I use my trimming =
tools in either hand for various angles and positions. Works =
wonderfully. Now both hands and arms are very strong. I have never =
regretted learning right handed throwing. =20
When all was said and done I turned to hand-building.=20
Regards,
Meryl Ruth
| |
|
