Finger exercises for independent fingers

[pnogirl]

Hello everyone,

I have a quick question regarding exercises for achieving independent fingers.  I am currently learning/working on Hanon's finger exercises book I. I am almost done with the book (on about no. 15).  I currently go back and go through the book everyday, hoping that it helps with my technique.  I especially need help with finger independency with my third finger.  I am looking at getting Schmitt's preparatory exercises and Liszt's technical exercises.  Have you used these before?  Are they good for technique?  I appreciate any and all comments. 

Thanks in advance,
Annemarie

[catie_50]

I can't speak regarding the other technique books you cited, but I worked out of Erno Dohnanyi's "Essential finger excercises for Obtaining Reliable Piano Technique", and the fast majority of it is based on finger independance. I would recommend it

[49410enrique]

old post but still a relevant response in case someone searches for 'finger independence exercises'  the saint saens fugue etude is very pretty, i'm i'm going to work on independince and voicing and such i would try to play someone enjoyalble.

[kalirren]

Here is a link to one of my favorite books, "Fundamentals of Piano Practice":

https://www.pianopractice.org/book.pdf

C. Chang, author of the book, can be pretty opinionated.  But he takes care to justify his opinions, and for that reason his book is extremely valuable to me even when I find reason to question his opinions.  It helps that most of the directions he gives (all the ones I've personally attempted to use, at least,) are good.

His description of an exercise he uses for finger independence begins on page 135.

[j_menz]

Bach's Well Tempered Clavier. Both books. Complete them all and your fingers will be so independent they'll be barely on speaking terms.

[ajspiano]

Bach's Well Tempered Clavier. Both books. Complete them all and your fingers will be so independent they'll be barely on speaking terms.

indeed - though I may suggest that given the OP is currently mid book 1 of hanon, that a complete study of both the inventions, then the sinfonias may serve as a reasonable primer for the WTC.

Though speaking as someone who has only studied the inventions, sinfonias, and WTC in a somewhat incomplete fashion, that may not be necessary for you personally.

^and by that I mean start with an invention (or as J_menz suggests below, the AMN) and see how you go..  if its mind numbingly easy then step up to a sinfonia, or a tougher invention.. etc. etc.

...AND - look up some instruction on how to properly study such works, because I guareetee if you don't have a guide you won't put reasonable work in to understanding things like motifs or how the voices interact with each other.

[j_menz]

given the OP is currently mid book 1 of hanon, that a complete study of both the inventions, then the sinfonias may serve as a reasonable primer for the WTC.

Ah, oops. Yes indeed. Or the Anna Magdalena Notebook.

[philb]

I own the Liszt Technical Exercises, and I can say it was a good buy. It covers a vast number of techniques including scales, arpeggios, double note scales (3rds, 6ths, octaves), and even covers some odd ones like double note arpeggios. It also has some awesome octave exercises near the end. I never had experimented with the first bunch of exercises that require you to hold the keys down while playing with individual fingers, I wouldn't consider them to be very beneficial either. It's a good for picking and choosing exercises in my opinion.

[49410enrique]

Ah, oops. Yes indeed. Or the Anna Magdalena Notebook.

agreed. this would a be a good one to 'run through', or if it were me, 'crawl through....'