AyaNo uses MediaPipe to track fingers and joints in one of his pen spinning videos.
There are a lot of types of finger positioning that I’ve mentally categorized over the years, but I’ve never written it down. I’ve meant to make an all-encompassing guide on finger positioning and it’s been too daunting for me, so this is just my way of getting these ideas out of my system. I hope this article may be helpful for others as well!
The Artistic Eye
Having an eye for aesthetics is something you develop and learn. It’s something you have to understand intuitively. Being analytical about finger positions I listed here is fine, however, I really believe that pen spinning is explained through pen spinning theory, and not the theory dictating pen spinning itself. Keep that in mind as you read through this article.
An Introduction to Order
Random noise does not mean much to humans. It’s only when we find some semblance of order that we perceive it as intentional patterns. Even abstract art has intentionality to it.
Here are some ways to make finger positioning more “ordered”:
Familiarity
Familiarity with common hand gestures likely make certain finger positions desirable.
A very common trick and finger positioning with a hand gesture is the Fingerless ThumbAround (FLTA). Supawit127 (THPSC/Thailand) performs this trick with the classic "fingergun" gesture.
Although we also commonly see finger guns with both index
and middle finger pointing, we likely have visually simplified it due the more stable method of catching the pen.
Symmetry and Asymmetry
Symmetry creates balance, while asymmetry creates intentional imbalance.
This is an important aspect in other forms of art. Therefore, it naturally works with pen spinning as well.
Monacho/モチョモナ (JEB/Japan) in "spiresia" performing Moonwalk Sonic.
The hand is naturally asymmetrical, which means the thumb and pinky have very important roles in "framing" the spinning.
Fan Effect
A common effect when fingers are splayed outwards, like a folding fan.
This could also be considered a type of symmetry or asymmetry. There will always be some overlap when trying to categorize abstract ideas.
A very classic and common example of the "Fan" Effect, is performed by
Toro (JEB/Japan)using the trick, ThumbFlap Charge Reverse.
The middle finger represents the longest "rib" in the fan, while the other fingers are progressively shorter as they reach the sides of the hand.
Staircase Effect
By introducing an incremental increase or decrease, it gives an impression of progression.
You can think of this concept as an increasing number sequence, such as: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34.
Nikoo (JEB/Japan) performs his Bak > Fingerless ThumbAround Reverse (or "ZCC") with very unique finger positioning.
The "staircase" or "ladder" is easier to see in different angles, which is why finger positioning is also very dependent on camera angle.
The progression of the "staircase" is seen through the decreasing angles of the finger joints.
Contrasting
This is the idea of making something stand out by putting other things in the background.
Single Finger Bend
Single finger bends are always visually interesting, because they stand out if the other fingers are relatively straight. This is a type of contrasting used.
Penson (JEB/Japan) has a very distinctive pinky finger curl when spinning.
Although the thumb is slightly curved, the pinky is more curled. Hence some emphasis on "
relatively straight".
Single Finger Straight
The opposite also is true. All other fingers bent down and one finger left straight draws the eye towards the singular straight finger.
Everchix (JEB/Japan) performs his amusingly named "Fxxk" trick, making the middle finger stand out.
Obviously, the middle finger "standing out" is not mainly due to the Contrasting Effect, but also Familiarity and slight shock value. The humor of the pen spinning community sure is something. 🤣
Combination
Combination refers to using multiple aesthetic concepts to produce an interesting result. Most finger positions are combinations.
Mesi (JEB/Japan) performs one of my favourite finger positioning shapes using a Wiper > Bust.
A similar finger position can be created with:
(Palm Side) Twisted Sonic Reverse 12 > (Palm Down) Twisted Sonic 23.
Final Words
These days, when pen spinning tricks are so well-known and repeated: many pen spinners just copy the original finger positioning. However, when a pen spinner decides to make choices based on their finger positioning: that elevates their spinning to another level.
Furthermore, order is a driving force of aesthetics in finger positioning. Not only that, it is the reason why good pen spinning can't just be a random combo generator that spits out random tricks grouped together. I’m sure you could find inspiration from a random combo generator, but you are a human that can do something even better. It is through human creativity and intuition that we make art out of a messy, disordered world.
“But deep down, we feel like there's a difference between this program permuting something unknowingly and a person actually meaning it, intending it, saying it because they wanted to with agency.
We use a finite number of symbols to say things. For that reason, a library of every finite combination of those symbols can be made, but just because it can be made doesn't mean it has been said. That is the power we have.”
Although the thumb is slightly curved, the pinky is more curled. Hence some emphasis on "relatively straight". 
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