Writing with your arm, rather than your hand

[Isaac]

How many of you write primarily with the movement of your arm? I find that most of my writing comes from the movement of my hand/fingers. I without a doubt believe this to be leading to the hand fatigue I experience with long writing sessions. I am attempting to form the habit of letting my arm do the work rather than my hand/fingers.

I know that in various script writing books, that large movements are encouraged with arm movements, rather than the local hand movements.

It is a bit odd to practice, but I suppose Ill get there eventually.

 

[Heron]

The only movement of my arm while writing is to move my hand across the page. I've seen people write with their arm, but it's all hand and wrist for me. It probably wouldn't be hard to learn, though.

 

[nemo]

Little bit of both for me, mostly hand. I know that cramping can be reduced by using the arm more but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[Isaac]

Little bit of both for me, mostly hand. I know that cramping can be reduced by using the arm more but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Truer words my friend.

Im going to be starting some Spencerian workbooks soon, and the arm movements are what is preferred for the script.

 

[intotheforge]

Tatooists use the arm method.

 

[andrew98]

I try to use the arm method when I remember.

-Andy

 

[rider4life]

I can always tell when I'm writing with my hand and fingers doing the movement vs. my arm. I try and consciously use my arm when writing as my writing is MUCH more legible. Still not great mind you, but it goes from "Huh? Is that a word" to "I'm pretty sure he's saying this..."

Cheers,

M.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I guess I have always used my arm... If I use just my fingers my script is microscopic...

 

[brianw]

arm

 

[acesn8s]

I try to use the arm method when I remember.

-Andy

Same here. When I took up collecting fountain pens I spent some time studying handwriting techniques. I was surprised to learn that you should be using more arm motion than finger and wrist...

 

[Snargle]

If I would ever clear my desk off, I might have some room to use my arm...as it is now, I can barely wiggle my fingers!

 

[Doc4]

Hands up everyone who learned how to write proper cursive in school ...

... and everyone with your hands up ... notice how much of the work of raising your hand you did with your hand, and how much with your arm.


My arm moves to make the larger strokes, and the hand adjusts a bit for small details.

 

[Mr5x5]

I am trying to unlearn over 40 years of bad habits and not doing well but maybe in another 40 years I will have retrained my writing muscles.

 

[Isaac]

Its funny, as I learned to write cursive in school, but it is not the proper cursive older generations were taught. I have to say that those people probably 60+ years of age, for the most part have beautiful cursive writing. I would equate it to actually using a fountain/dip pen in school and actually being taught script.

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

arm

arm for the most part....us old guys that was taught cursive in schools, learned the three points of contact to write....we were instructed that our desks was a part of writing, too. Once you learn how to move your arm, your lines will become even more fluid and you will find yoursleves writing declarations of independneces or constitutions or something....

 

[Jayk]

I currently write mainly with my hand. However, I have recently started practicing the Palmer method and hope to improve. Sadly, education in proper handwriting was gone by the time I started school.

 

[Doc4]

arm for the most part....us old guys that was taught cursive in schools, learned the three points of contact to write....we were instructed that our desks was a part of writing, too. Once you learn how to move your arm, your lines will become even more fluid and you will find yoursleves writing declarations of independneces or constitutions or something....

We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, require the following items from the supermarket:
2 dozen large eggs
1 loaf bread
steaks for dinner ...

 

[brianw]

We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, require the following items from the supermarket:
2 dozen large eggs
1 loaf bread
steaks for dinner ...

What time should I be there

 

[syngent]

What time should I be there

if your passing by anyway can you grab me a bag of milk ?

 

[jzuzphreek]

And if you pick up peanut butter, get smooth! (Brian Regan, upon informing his mother his brother had broken his arm)