Like stretching before running or exercising, warm-ups should be a part of your piano practice routine. Piano exercises are helpful for improving piano technique, building finger strength and independence, and advancing your piano skills.
I’ve outlined five simple yet effective piano exercises (demonstrated in the above lesson video).
Even with only ten minutes a day of practice, these piano exercises can bring noticeable results. The hardest part is maintaining discipline and being consistent – but you can do it!
Just make it part of your daily routine. Think of it as meditative for the mind, since it involves repeating patterns, and a workout for your fingers that feels great!
Mix up how you practice your exercises – at first, slowly and “piano” (played quietly), then slowly and “forte” (loudly), then speed up your tempo and try it at gradually increasing speeds.
To take it a step further, you can transpose the exercises into different keys. For instance, if played first in C major, then try it in G major (remembering to include an F-sharp), then F major (remembering to include a B-flat), and so on and so forth.
And remember, for best practice results, be sure your fingernails are trimmed and not so long that they click the keys. You want aerodynamic, fluid motion that shorter fingernails will help you achieve!
Here is an outline of the five helpful exercises:
- Czerny: stepping and skipping up and down in C position, using staccato and legato
- Hanon: moving up and down the keyboard, with repeated pattern
- Richter: one-octave C-scale in the right hand, supported by C and G7 chords in left hand. Then hands reverse parts.
- Czerny: repetition exercise, switching fingers on the same key
- Czerny: arpeggios
I have a made a piano lesson video (above) demonstrating and explaining each one in detail, so that you can follow along and learn. Happy practicing!