Dohnanyi

[wenat]

Hi.
As a student I did some dohnanyi excercises, and found them quite effective in increasing finger strength.  However I know there is quite a lot of contraversy about using them and the dangers of using them.  I am considering using it with a student at the moment, but feel I need to explore the various "dangers" first!  Any feedback from anyone??
thanks

[jabbz]

I don't think there are any dangers unless you are careless. If you are doing the exercises  and there is a serious build up of tension and cramping STOP. The Dohnanyi exercises are very similar to the Liszt exercises, Dohnanyi being a pupil of Liszt. We have nothing to worry about.

[wenat]

Personally they never caused me any physical dangers either.  It's just I know of so much contraversy on Dohnanyi, and was just interested to see what other members think.

[rc]

I've felt some pain from it before.  Took a long break then approached the exercise fresh and got it down.  No biggie.

What I have trouble with is having to hold notes down.  While practicing music there comes a point where I'm linking directly to the sound I want to make...  What I mean is, I'm trying to get to the point where I can think of the sounds I want to make and the fingers and keys are automatic; subconscious.

What throws me is holding a key down for no musical purpose.  With all the practice I put in linking keys -> fingers -> sounds, it feels unnatural to hold a key for no reason (the sound), and my inclination is to just lift the finger.

I'm starting to think it's unhealthy to practice the sort of gymnastics, that it may work against the link from key to sound that I'm practicing so hard to cultivate...  (Am I making sense?)