Dohnanyi controversy

[alwaystheangel]

There is so much controversy about hanon and Dohnanyi and all the rest of those finger exercises:
I am not familiar with Dohnanyi's finger exercises, is there a thread that has a copy of some of them? Or is anyone willing to scan some of them in so I can take a stab at them?
Thanks for the help!

[Mozartian]

I wish I could say they don't help, that they're an utter waste of time, BUT-

Dohnanyi most definitely helps (if taught correctly). Mucho.

[allthumbs]

Here they are.


I personally feel that finger exercises have their place, if used to work on specific weaknesses and technical goals.

Having said that, the best and most productive way to improve technique however, is by working on pieces of music that will do that.


Cheers

allthumbs

[tompilk]

Here they are.


I personally feel that finger exercises have their place, if used to work on specific weaknesses and technical goals.

Having said that, the best and most productive way to improve technique however, is by working on pieces of music that will do that.


Cheers

allthumbs

Wow... some of those exercises look fiendish... i prefer to have a go at really difficult pieces... lol...
Tom

[alwaystheangel]

thanks so much all thumbs!  I really appreciate you posting them.  I've just started Czerny's and their okay but I think these will be much better!
Thank you!
Christina

[Motrax]

Dohnanyi excercises are the only ones I practice - they are immensely helpful, but only if done correctly. If you feel ANY pain or massive strain, stop immediately. It's best to find a teacher who knows how to execute these excercises so you can start them correctly from the outset.

And yes, some of them are fiendishly difficult, but with careful and steady practice, they'll both become easier and do wonders for your facility at the keyboard.

[Mozartian]

NO KIDDING SOME ARE FIENDISH!!!

*shudders*

[ilikefinnissy]

Dohnanyi excercises are the only ones I practice - they are immensely helpful, but only if done correctly.

Any way you do them, you are creating muscular pulls, and will eventually injure yourself.  There is no "correct" way of doing these, and ultimately you are just wasting your time.  After skimming through posts, I see "bernard" has said many wonderful things on this topic, so I'll stop right here.

If you think piano playing has anything to do with "building finger strength", then you're in for trouble.

If you really want to practice exercises, stick with czerny. You'll end up with not only a technical skill, but a short piece of music as well.

[tompilk]

NO KIDDING SOME ARE FIENDISH!!!

*shudders*

sorry for offending...
Tom

[Mozartian]

sorry for offending...
Tom

haha you didn't offend me (it takes an uber lot to get me ticked ). I was.. agreeing with you!

 

[alwaystheangel]

I've tried 1,2 and 9 and they all hurt.  and I can't do them!

[ilikefinnissy]

I've tried 1,2 and 9 and they all hurt. and I can't do them!

DON'T DO THEM!

[bernhard]

There is no controversy (or at least there shouldn´t be anymore ).

Have a look here:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,15701.msg171057.html#msg171057
(debunking Dohnanyi)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Mozartian]

I've tried 1,2 and 9 and they all hurt.  and I can't do them!

Need to master No. 2 before attemptiing any of the others. No. 2 should NOT hurt at all. Take it slow with the upmost relaxation.

No. 9 IMHO is the most dangerous of the lot, I don't recommend even touching it without a teacher.

[rc]

I don't think it's all that bad. You certainly want to be careful with this sort of exercise, make sure to avoid tension... Though sometimes tension can begin to creep in, keep vigil. Follow the golden rule of NEVER practicing through pain, and you will survive .

While I agree that it's best to learn technique through music (and learn music as well!), I've come to see technical exercises have their place... Basically, you can learn the skills without having to make your favorite compositions suffer as you learn. If you're going to get sick of practicing a skill, might as well be with something disposable that sounds like crap anyways.

[alwaystheangel]

Basically, you can learn the skills without having to make your favorite compositions suffer as you learn. If you're going to get sick of practicing a skill, might as well be with something disposable that sounds like crap anyways.

LOL

So is there a particular order in which they should be practiced?

[bearzinthehood]

LOL

So is there a particular order in which they should be practiced?

There is a recommended order listed in the preface.

[alwaystheangel]

found it!  Maybe I should read the preface, eh?

[allthumbs]

                                            ..., eh?

You gave yourself away!

[alwaystheangel]

proud to be one too!
Sadly, it's eastern Canada that says that.  T swear I'm the only one in my school that says eh and I get laughed at for saying it. :$