When you've just started beginner's piano lessons, it can be difficult to get your fingers dancing across the keys in the way you imagined. It's usually hard enough simply concentrating on playing the notes in the right order, or getting your digits in the right place to form the chord. Just like new guitarists can have a hard time developing the strength to hold down the strings, new pianists need to be able to improve the flexibility in their fingers to be able to get the instrument to sound like it should. Here are a few tips to nudge you in the right direction.
Practicing scales and arpeggios can be boring for some students. But as well as improving your knowledge of the notes in each key, practicing these regularly will greatly enhance your finger strength, and sense of rhythm. Practice playing major, minor and chromatic scales and arpeggios with both hands in a number of ways, such as: -
* Smoothly (i.e. Legato)
* Short and sharp notes (Staccato)
* Conventional rhythm
* Changeable rhythm - such as holding some notes longer than others
* Changing the accent - e.g. placing the emphasis on every third note
* Inversions - try using the same start note, with the right hand attempting ascending notes while the left plays descents.
Practice exercises that stretch your hands and fingers will also improve your flexibility. Try practicing playing the same note an octave apart, using your thumb and forefinger. Add a third note, somewhere in between, with another finger. Then, keeping your thumb on one note, play staccato notes up the scale, as far as your fingers will let you.
Individual fingers can be weaker than others. Try playing scales whilst maintaining equal power and volume across all fingers. Also, try playing alternate notes with your weakest and strongest fingers, maintaining an even volume and rhythm.
Changes in key and tempo are a good method of improving dexterity. If you have a particular piece of music that you are already quite comfortable with, try to play this in a totally different tempo or style. When I was learning I used the Beatles Songbook religiously in order to practice. My fingers certainly were not flexible to begin with. I mastered the conventional Beatles version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends', but found I became much more dexterous once I started attempting the Joe Cocker arrangement, especially with some of the almost classical-style organ playing in this version.
Naturally, one hand (usually the left) will be somewhat weaker than the other. In this case, spend some extra time carrying out the exercises mentioned above with your weaker hand. Regular practice in this way should help to strengthen your hands and fingers, and provide the flexibility to ensure you can enjoy your piano tuition and improve your ability overall.
Practicing scales and arpeggios can be boring for some students. But as well as improving your knowledge of the notes in each key, practicing these regularly will greatly enhance your finger strength, and sense of rhythm. Practice playing major, minor and chromatic scales and arpeggios with both hands in a number of ways, such as: -
* Smoothly (i.e. Legato)
* Short and sharp notes (Staccato)
* Conventional rhythm
* Changeable rhythm - such as holding some notes longer than others
* Changing the accent - e.g. placing the emphasis on every third note
* Inversions - try using the same start note, with the right hand attempting ascending notes while the left plays descents.
Practice exercises that stretch your hands and fingers will also improve your flexibility. Try practicing playing the same note an octave apart, using your thumb and forefinger. Add a third note, somewhere in between, with another finger. Then, keeping your thumb on one note, play staccato notes up the scale, as far as your fingers will let you.
Individual fingers can be weaker than others. Try playing scales whilst maintaining equal power and volume across all fingers. Also, try playing alternate notes with your weakest and strongest fingers, maintaining an even volume and rhythm.
Changes in key and tempo are a good method of improving dexterity. If you have a particular piece of music that you are already quite comfortable with, try to play this in a totally different tempo or style. When I was learning I used the Beatles Songbook religiously in order to practice. My fingers certainly were not flexible to begin with. I mastered the conventional Beatles version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends', but found I became much more dexterous once I started attempting the Joe Cocker arrangement, especially with some of the almost classical-style organ playing in this version.
Naturally, one hand (usually the left) will be somewhat weaker than the other. In this case, spend some extra time carrying out the exercises mentioned above with your weaker hand. Regular practice in this way should help to strengthen your hands and fingers, and provide the flexibility to ensure you can enjoy your piano tuition and improve your ability overall.
