interesting fact about hanon

[lazlo]

I don't know if this was ever brought up, since I know a number of topics have been covered on hanon. One of its major criticisms was that it was all in C major, and hence very limited. But I recently found out that it was just a blueprint, and he intended, and expected it to be played in all keys, not just C major, that was just the starting point. Just an interesting thing.

[jazzyprof]

Where did you find this out?

[ramseytheii]

Isn't it written in the score, "To be practiced in all keys?"

Have fun,

Walter Ramsey

[arensky]

I believe it's in the instructions to each set or group of exercises;   "practice also in D, E, F, " etc.. I used to practice some of the first twenty exercises in D, A, G and E. I don't play Hanon anymore unless I've been away from the piano for several weeks ( that doesn't happen very often) and I need to get my feet wet, so to speak.

Doing this in the black key keys (Eb, Db, F# etc.) is not helpful, and should probably be avoided.

[rogercacv]

 Not only can you play Hanon in different keys, but you can also move from key to another in the same exercise. This does wonders for you ability to think in different keys and keep you mind truly engaged for what you are doing, rather than the endless drudgery of just playing the same thing over and over again. I might start in C for the first 2 measures and then to G and then to D and so on.

[thaicheow]

Not only you can do Hanon in different keys, different tempos, different articulations, dynamics, different rhythm (I do jazzy swing with my students), also much much more (holding hanon, etc), you name it. So, have fun. 

[gerry]

My early piano teachers used to instruct me to play not only Hanon  but Czerny exercises in different keys.

[bluepuri]

My early piano teachers used to instruct me to play not only Hanon  but Czerny exercises in different keys.

Czerny in different key? first time hearing that. Does is actually help?

I think spending too much time in practicing finger exercises decrease my musical awareness. But at the same time, it helps me to play neatly and build a better finger coordination.

[dan101]

Whether Hanon is played in C major or in all of the keys, I've always found Brahms and Czerny exercises a bit more stimulating.

[gerry]

Czerny in different key? first time hearing that. Does is actually help?

It's a great way early-on to establish different key patterns in the hands. I think the more basics you can "program" into your autopilot, the less time you have to spend learning new pieces. For example, by learning the Czerny arpeggio and scale work in several keys, you have much of the basic fingerwork in hand for a Beethoven concerto or a Mozart sonata and can spend more time on interpretation.

[slobone]

Doing this in the black key keys (Eb, Db, F# etc.) is not helpful, and should probably be avoided.

I disagree! That's when things really get interesting. It's very important to be able to play on the black keys as easily as the white keys. If you can play Hanon in every key, you'll have a much easier time with highly chromatic music like Bach fugues and Chopin, etc.

And don't stop with the first 20 exercises, there's a lot of good stuff in the back of the book. But I agree that 21-30 are useful mainly just to keep your fingers moving.

[slobone]

Whether Hanon is played in C major or in all of the keys, I've always found Brahms and Czerny exercises a bit more stimulating.

Only problem with Czerny is that his exercises only work on one hand at a time, usually the right hand. Meanwhile the left hand doesn't have much to do. He did write a whole book of exercises for the left hand, but there the right hand doesn't do anything to speak of!

Hey, has anybody tried playing Hanon in two different keys at the same time? I'd do it, but my neighbors hate me enough already...

[kirae]

Hey, has anybody tried playing Hanon in two different keys at the same time? I'd do it, but my neighbors hate me enough already...

That would be fun !

[pianowolfi]

The relation between "Hanon" and "key" is to me that I closed my Hanon into a box and threw the key away 

[bluepuri]

The relation between "Hanon" and "key" is to me that I closed my Hanon into a box and threw the key away 

haha. but true, hanon is boring that you can play it correctly even tho you're half asleep.

Whether Hanon is played in C major or in all of the keys, I've always found Brahms and Czerny exercises a bit more stimulating.

so, I agree with this

[steve jones]

I don't know if this was ever brought up, since I know a number of topics have been covered on hanon. One of its major criticisms was that it was all in C major, and hence very limited. But I recently found out that it was just a blueprint, and he intended, and expected it to be played in all keys, not just C major, that was just the starting point. Just an interesting thing.

I think that one of the major critisisms with Hanon was the lack of direction is how exactly to use the exercises. It does seem logical that he would have intended the exercises in all keys, imo, though Iv never read that from his own pen.

That said, to play all of those exercises in all keys would take for ever! Not for me, thanks.

SJ

[jonlil]

Not only you can do Hanon in different keys, different tempos, different articulations, dynamics, different rhythm (I do jazzy swing with my students), also much much more (holding hanon, etc), you name it. So, have fun. 

... and also, without stopping, jump up or down one or more octaves (or change manuals if you're an organist or harpsichordist) to practise doing so under control.

[quantum]

The relation between "Hanon" and "key" is to me that I closed my Hanon into a box and threw the key away 

Wolfi, why would you do such a thing?  It is a perfectly good fly swatter. 

Hey, has anybody tried playing Hanon in two different keys at the same time? I'd do it, but my neighbors hate me enough already...

I've tried it in parallel tritones. 

[slobone]

haha. but true, hanon is boring that you can play it correctly even tho you're half asleep.

so, I agree with this

OK, then turn up the metronome a couple clicks. Now can you play it in your sleep?