Level 1 - Technical Exercises

Question 1

Preliminary hand exercises:

Soak hands in very warm water before playing the piano.

Answer 1

A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. It is best to learn things properly from the beginning in small steps.

Remember, how difficult it was to play the guitar when your hands were cold.

Question 2

Preliminary hand exercises:

1. Holding your arms in playing position, palms downward, clench both hands tightly, making two fists. Hold while you count “ONE – TWO.”
2. SNAP the finger quickly outward, opening both hands. Do this with great vigor. Hold this position with all finger extended. Count “THREE – FOUR.”
3. Shake out both hands, dangling from the wrists. Count “ONE – TWO – THREE – FOUR.”

Answer 2

Strengthen the hands. It is important.

Question 3

Preliminary hand exercises:

1. With palm upwards, clench both hands, making two fist. Hold and count “ONE – TWO.”
2. SNAP the finger outward (palm up), opening the both hands. Hold finger outward as you count “THREE – FOUR.”
3. Turn hands over, palms down, hands dangling from the wrists, and shake out. Count “ONE – TWO – THREE – FOUR.”

Answer 3

Strengthen the hands. It is important.

Question 4

Curve your fingers when you play!
Pretend you have a bubble in your hand.
Hold the bubble gently, so it doesn’t break!

Answer 4

Just like the guitar, it is important to have good hand posture.

Question 5

1. Play any white key with the 3rd finger either hand, softly.
2. See how many times you can repeat the same key, making each tone a little louder.

Answer 5

Before you play any key, you should alway decide how soft or loud you want it to sound.

Question 6

Isometric exercise:

To prepare for the exercise, press the hands flatly together with all fingers touching, in a “prayer position”.

Now slowly bring the palms apart, with the fingertips touching, until all fingers are in a curved position.

Exercise:

1. Keep fingers in a the curved position, relaxed.
2. Now press the the 3rd finger firmly together. Keep the other fingers relaxed.
3. Do this four times, counting “ONE–TWO–THREE–FOUR.”
4. Do the same with the 2nd finger, then the 4th fingers, then the thumbs, and finally with the 5th fingers.
5. Repeat serval times, then shake out your hands vigorously.
6. Repeat again.

Answer 6

Strengthen the muscles in your hands and fingers.

Question 7

Hand Massage:

1. Place the back of the left hand in the palm of the right hand, relaxed and flat.
2. With the thumb of the right hand, massage the left hand along the ridge of the fingers and along the fleshy part of the base of the thumb. Do not use excessive pressure, or you may bruise the hand. Continue this for about 30 seconds.
3. Reverse hands, massaging the right hand with the left.
4. Shake out the hands vigorously for several seconds.

Answer 7

This exercise should be beneficial to circulation and should make the hands more flexible.

Question 8

A Leschetizky Solution (to strengthen each finger and improve control) (p.57)

1. Hold down all five keys together (G A B C D), raise thumb just high enough to level the key, but maintain contact. The press the down, rise again, and repeat.
2. Continue in the same manner for the 2nd finger, raising it about one-third of an inch.
3. Process similarly with the 3rd finger.
4. Continue with the 4th finger but raise it AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE.
5. Continue with the 5th finger but raise it AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE.

Keep finger CURVED at all times.

Answer 8

This is a very important exercise to strengthen each finger and improve control.

Question 9

The Amazing Aerobics of Hanon: Ex. 1 (p.78)

Answer 9

Build strength and control in the fingers.

Question 10

The Amazing Aerobics of Hanon: Ex. 2 (p.79)

Answer 10

Build strength and control in the fingers.

Question 11

Hanon’s Aerobic Sixths: Ex 3 (p.87)

Answer 11

Build strength and control in the fingers.