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I play the piano for around 8 years now but I also work out 3-4 times a week. Does this affect my finger dexterity since I see people playing for 2 years only and they are more virtuosso than me. Or is this just because I play gospel/jazz and don't practice scales that much?

Most importantly, I want to know how weight-lifting affects my fingers. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

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Without knowing your regimen compared to theirs, it's hard to say anything definitive. And of course there are innate differences in ability. – Matthew Read♦ Nov 5 '12 at 5:55
@MatthewRead The real question was if weight lifting affects my playing, it has nothing to do with comparing with others, or why are others better than me, because there are tens of reasons for that. That was just a factor that contributed to the context of the question. That being said, I think Alex Basson's answer to my actual question is very satisfying. – Fofole Nov 6 '12 at 10:11

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up vote 8 down vote accepted

Not in my experience. I don't lift much anymore, but I did when I was younger, and it never got in the way of my playing, either on piano or on guitar. Make sure you stretch well, especially immediately after your workouts, and your muscles should stay limber and flexible.

As for improving your dexterity, the only sure way to do that is through regular, disciplined, daily practice, preferably with a metronome.

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Thanks. This is all I needed to know :) – Fofole Nov 5 '12 at 8:27
Agreed - I weight train and rock climb, and neither appears to hamper my guitar playing. – Dr Mayhem♦ Nov 5 '12 at 10:41

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