Professional Documents
Culture Documents
“15-Minute Pioneer
Finger Workouts”
for every pianist and keyboard player
Elementary ~ Intermediate ~ Virtuoso
“In terms of technique and discipline it was near-impossible to fault what he played… The
sonata was, simply, the best Beethoven playing I have heard since Ashkenazy was here…
The whole was pianism of the highest order.” The Australian
A few thoughts before you embark on what I hope will be your path to
acquiring a wonderful keyboard facility by using the exercises just 15
minutes a day – and that’s the key!! The aim of the exercises is to provide
the means to acquire the necessary physical equipment to play the virtuoso
piano repertoire effortlessly! – without wasting hours which might be spent
more profitably, and to reduce the risk of injury when learning difficult,
physically demanding pieces.
1. LEVEL
Decide where to embark. If you have been playing less than two years, you should
probably commence at the ELEMENTARY level. Those who have been playing
for longer may be able to enter at the INTERMEDIATE level. FEW will manage to
undertake the VIRTUOSO workouts. So, a word of CAUTION: do NOT overstretch
yourself. A pianist is an athlete who must build up to a required level of fitness
– slowly and progressively.
2. FORMAT
The exercises are progressive and systematic. At each level, Exercise A increases
stamina and finger independence. Exercise B works the wrist. Exercise C works
the forearm using the same notes as for B (not Elementary). Exercises D & E work
essential finger combinations. At every level – Elementary, Intermediate or Virtuoso
- first do just a little of each exercise, being meticulous about stopping when any pain
is experienced. Gradually – over some weeks, not days – get through a little more of
the exercises in your workout. NEVER exercise more than 15 minutes, visiting each
exercise in your level. Do not expect to play all of each of the exercises for several
weeks – “a little and often” is the rule.
3. PHYSICAL FITNESS
A pianist must be fit and take care while playing to avoid the risk of injury. If you get
tired or uncomfortable when using the exercises, STOP. When you are really fit then
you will call upon your own judgement. Do not exceed your level. For example, an
Intermediate pianist could risk harm by tackling the Virtuoso workout with its severe
stretching and extended repetition. The Virtuoso exercises are designed for an already
trained hand at a high professional level of fitness and development.
4. PROGRESS
Remember, 15 minutes only per day for the exercises. Build up your stamina, start three
times a week and perhaps work up to 5-6 times per week after two months. When you
finally find the workout insufficiently demanding, and ONLY then, you might consider
making the transition to the next level, but very gradually, embracing just parts of the
new workout’s increased difficulty. For example, when advancing to Intermediate, in
Exercise A you would be advised to opt at first for the “smaller hand” chord – and repeat
each bar just once – working up gradually over the weeks to repeating each bar 10 times.
Another approach is to continue with the finger patterns in Exercise A of the Elementary
level but use the notes of the Intermediate smaller hand chord. Work within your ability.
Be patient with your progress. Be smart and cautious as you advance.
5. IMPROVEMENT
No one reaches international levels of virtuosity overnight. But if you take it steady and
persevere, you can expect marked change within weeks. Your body needs to get used
to this way of working. For your encouragement, use the Daily Practice Diary to record
your progress.
6. SUMMARY
Use the exercises as an athlete would train for a marathon – patient, gradual build-up to
fitness and continued work to maintain strength and agility. Warm up before you begin
– ALWAYS play with WARM hands and gently STRETCH between your fingers before
exercising. Follow the instructions to relax. Take a break if you tire.
When I travel for concerts, my four-octave keyboard travels with me – I would not dream
of playing to anyone without having first played through my “15-minute workout” in my
hotel room – I also use it at home and it is probably one of the reasons I am still happily
married after more than 30 years.
10/3/07 60% complete 100% completed 80% completed - too slow 40 % completed - ran out 12 mins. Must focus on
- L.H. tiring at present of time better legato.
SO STOPPED Early Days!
Example
Daily Practice Diary Sheet No:
10/3/07 Managed to 100% completed 50% completed 50 % completed 50% complete in No time available 14 mins. Allow
repeat each bar - tiring - struggling for R.H today more time for
4 times SO STOPPED legato 20% complete in E & F so shorten
Example L.H A & B tomorrow
Daily Practice Diary Sheet No:
10/3/07 Managed to repeat 80% completed 50% completed - 33 % completed 70% ok in R.H. - 15 minutes.
each bar 13 times - tiring tiring in L.H. - failing legato and some 6ths Expecting too much
SO STOPPED SO STOPPED v.tired 30% L.H. too soon
Example
SO STOPPED - some 6ths
Level 1: Elementary
15 Minutes
EXERCISE A: Finger Independence
Instructions
(i) Go slowly at first. Always lift your fingers high between strikes.
(ii) Bend fingers as much as possible; play on tips of fingers.
(iii) Play legato – ie make a continuous sound with no breaks between the notes and no overlaps.
(iv) Relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing.
Hold down the following two notes (using your thumbs) throughout this exercise:
And repeat each bar up to FOUR times before going on immediately to the next. TAKE your time!
Without pausing for a rest, now hold down the following two notes (using your little, i.e. 5th, ‘pinkie’,
fingers) as you continue:
Without pausing for a rest, now hold down the following FOUR notes (using your thumbs and
index fingers) and proceed to the end of the exercise:
Instructions
(i) Keep forearms horizontally level with keyboard.
(ii) Move your hands up and down at the wrist to strike the keys, as if waving at the keyboard.
(iii) Play on tips of 5th fingers and with thumbs slightly curled inwards at tip – on the black keys too!
(iv) Recommended speed = 80.
(v) Do NOT play staccato.
(vi) Repeat each bar once before going on immediately to the next.
(vii) Remember to relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing.
and if you CAN, proceed immediately, using the same hand, to the following:
Instructions
Play legato – or if necessary at first – in a detached manner. Bend fingers, playing on their tips. Perform
this exercise hands separately ONLY. Repeat each section once before going on immediately to the next.
Instructions
(i) Repeat each bar up to TEN times before going on immediately to the next.
(ii) Maximise the upward lift of each finger between strikes.
(iii) Bend fingers as much as possible; play on tips of fingers. In order to prevent nail damage, it may be
advisable to wear protective elastoplast to 2nd and 3rd fingers of each hand
(iv) Relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing and expend maximum force with each strike.
(v) Speed is unimportant – recommend = 126-160.
(vi) Following the exercise, loosen the fingers with the tremelos (executed hands separately at
maximum speed and very lightly) as follows:
Option for the smaller hand: perform the same exercise as above, but using the following notes/chord:
Instructions
(i) Keep forearms horizontally level with keyboard.
(ii) Maximise upward and downward movements from the wrist, as if waving at the keyboard.
(iii) Play on tips of 5th fingers and with thumbs slightly curled inwards at tip – on the black keys too!
(iv) Recommended speed . = 50.
(v) Do NOT play staccato.
(vi) Repeat each bar once before going on immediately to the next.
(vii) Remember to relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing.
Instructions
(i) Lean forward to bring shoulders near to the keyboard.
(ii) Pull forearms up until locked tight against upper arm and execute hard downward strikes from
elbow.
(iii) Play on tips of 5th fingers and with thumbs slightly curled inwards at tip – on the black keys too!
(iv) Recommended speed . = 50.
(v) Do NOT play staccato.
(vi) Repeat each bar once before going on immediately to the next.
Between Exercise C and D: Stretch between your fingers and stretch each finger forward and back.
Instructions
(i) Play legato.
(ii) Bend fingers, playing on their tips at all times.
(iii) Repeat each bar up to THREE times before going on immediately to the next.
(iv) Recommended speed . = 76-120.
(v) CHOOSE Set One or Set Two on alternate days.
SET ONE
cont’d
SET TWO same exercise as SET ONE but using the following note
combinations:
Instructions
(i) Play legato.
(ii) Bend fingers, playing on their tips at all times.
(iii) Repeat each bar TWO to FOUR times before going on immediately to the next.
(iv) Play the exercise first with one hand and then the other – recommend NOT together. Play Left
Hand an octave or two lower for convenience.
(v) Recommended speed . = 80-132.
EXERCISE F: Tremelo
(Intermediate level only – OPTIONAL)
Instructions
Repeat each bar up to FOUR times before going on immediately to the next. As you perform this exercise
you should minimise the finger movement from the knuckles down, using a rotation of the hand from the
wrist - as if opening a door knob. Build up speed and stamina over the weeks until you can keep going for
TWO minutes without pausing for rest.
Instructions
(i) Repeat each bar up to TWENTY-FIVE times before going on immediately to the next.
(ii) Maximise the upward lift of each finger between strikes.
(iii) Bend fingers as much as possible; play on tips of fingers. In order to prevent nail damage, it may be
advisable to wear protective elastoplast to 2nd and 3rd fingers of each hand
(iv) Relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing and expend maximum force with each strike.
(v) Speed is unimportant – recommend = 160-184.
(vi) Following the exercise, loosen the fingers with the tremelos (executed hands separately at maxi-
mum speed and very lightly) as follows:
Instructions
(i) Keep forearms horizontally level with keyboard.
(ii) Maximise upward and downward movements from the wrist, as if waving at the keyboard.
(iii) Play on tips of 5th fingers and with thumbs slightly curled inwards at tip – on the black keys too!
(iv) Recommended speed . = 60-76.
(v) Do NOT play staccato.
(vi) Remember to relax shoulders and upper body whilst executing.
cont’d
Instructions
(i) Lean forward to bring shoulders near to the keyboard.
(ii) Pull forearms up until locked tight against upper arm and execute hard downward strikes from
elbow.
(iii) Play on tips of 5th fingers and with thumbs slightly curled inwards at tip – on the black keys too!
(iv) Recommended speed . = 60-76.
(v) Do NOT play staccato.
Between Exercise C and D: Stretch between your fingers and stretch each finger forward and back.
Instructions
(i) Play legato.
(ii) Bend fingers, playing on their tips at all times.
(iii) Repeat each bar up to TEN times before going on immediately to the next, except those bars oth-
erwise indicated.
(iv) Recommended speed . = 104-120.
(v) CHOOSE Set One or Set Two on alternative days.
SET ONE
SET TWO
Instructions
(i) Play legato.
(ii) Bend fingers, playing on their tips at all times.
(iii) Repeat each bar FOUR times before going on immediately to the next.
(iv) Play the exercise first with one hand and then the other - recommend NOT together. Play Left
Hand an octave or two lower for convenience.
(v) Recommended speed . = 112-144.