What finger exercises can i do when not at the piano?

[musicioso]

hallo guys.

Is there any useful exercises that you can do when you are at work/school/train/movies etc? I mean something to improve piano technique.

[mikeowski]

I only know one excercise, which I've done and which helped me: The double notes at the beginning of chopin's 25/6. You can practise them on any flat surface anytime you want.

[nocturnetr]

Create a pattern, and play that really fast, like 132514243.

[perprocrastinate]

Try trilling with fingers 3-4 when holding the other three down.

[hfmadopter]

You can work with strengthening your  fourth and fifth fingers on any solid surface, a book in your lap on your desk top etc.. Do that just by tapping repeatedly with those two fingers with your hand in a typical  curved position as if at your key board. Do it with both hands a few times a day. Don't over due it and tire the fingers though. The fourth finger in particular likes to not be independent ! The fifth just weak. This excercise will help.

Secondly you can practice any transitional passage that's giving you trouble in a piece. for the sake of simplicity lets say in the C scale the thumb moves under the index and middle finger to get to the F in the right hand, practice just that move  by putting down the third finger as if  on E slip the thumb under to get the G and then the second finger to get the G. So just that transition. You can practice any trouble spot in a piece the same way, as long as you know where you are going in the actual piece but it's going roughly.

[j_menz]

The above posts are all technical, which is fine. The easiest thing to practice away from the piano is the music. Let it play through your head and play around with it. You can do much to improve your playing in this way by strengthening your musical conception of a piece, firming up tempo, rhythm and dynamics for example.

[musicioso]

Guys, thank you very much.  You gave me really good ideas. I appreciate it 

[drapopolus]

I was wondering, when practicing away from the piano, is it best to have the hand resting on the tabletop and then lift each finger off, or should the hand hover above the surface?

[musicioso]

I was wondering, when practicing away from the piano, is it best to have the hand resting on the tabletop and then lift each finger off, or should the hand hover above the surface?

A good question. Lets wait for experts to  answer

[mikeowski]

No expert needed for that question. It is not an excercise in lifting fingers, rather in dropping them coordinatedly, so definitely let your hand hover comfortably, just like when you play piano.

[musicioso]

No expert needed for that question. It is not an excercise in lifting fingers, rather in dropping them coordinatedly, so definitely let your hand hover comfortably, just like when you play piano.

thank you

[drapopolus]

No expert needed for that question. It is not an excercise in lifting fingers, rather in dropping them coordinatedly, so definitely let your hand hover comfortably, just like when you play piano.

Thanks.

Would you agree though, as a separate exercise, resting the fingers on the table and lifting them might also be beneficial? It's probably a good exercise for the 4th finger.

[ajspiano]

It's probably a good exercise for the 4th finger.

Depends how much physical damage (and potential long term injury) you wish to cause to yourself.

[drapopolus]

Depends how much physical damage (and potential long term injury) you wish to cause to yourself.

Really? So it's definitely not a good idea? I'm not being forceful here, just gently lifting the 4th finger.

[ajspiano]

Really? So it's definitely not a good idea? I'm not being forceful here, just gently lifting the 4th finger.

I'm not saying you can't lift it.. But the reasons it's difficult is not because it's "weak" - it is anatomically restricted, the structure of the hand is such that it doesn't function in isolation that way.

As an aside, think for a second and tell me how you think lifting your fingers (in isolation from the keyboard and your entire hand/arm mechanism) will improve your playing.

Also, it's often wise to exercise caution when discussing such things here because while you may do it gently others may misinterpret the idea and do it somewhat forcefully.

....

While there is a strength element to playing, its not the major factor - if it was i assure there would not be 5 yr old prodogies. Your playing demands accuracy/coordination and a balanced effective use of your body much more than it does physical strength. Accuracy needs to be developed in relation to the keys and how they function, and music, because in order to practice control you need an aim - the aim is musical expression.

As j_menz said, the easiest away from piano activity is likely musical conception, but if you want to do something physical it should be tailored toward developing a "feel" for how your hands/fingers work, not exercising them.

[drapopolus]

I'm not saying you can't lift it.. But the reasons it's difficult is not because it's "weak" - it is anatomically restricted, the structure of the hand is such that it doesn't function in isolation that way.

As an aside, think for a second and tell me how you think lifting your fingers (in isolation from the keyboard and your entire hand/arm mechanism) will improve your playing.

Also, it's often wise to exercise caution when discussing such things here because while you may do it gently others may misinterpret the idea and do it somewhat forcefully.

....

While there is a strength element to playing, its not the major factor - if it was i assure there would not be 5 yr old prodogies. Your playing demands accuracy/coordination and a balanced effective use of your body much more than it does physical strength. Accuracy needs to be developed in relation to the keys and how they function, and music, because in order to practice control you need an aim - the aim is musical expression.

I agree. I only mention it because, perhaps, it's possible to make the 4th finger more dexterous - Though it'll probably do more harm than good. I understand that the best way to improve is the practice AT the piano. I was, like the OP, merely looking for exercises to do at school/work. I go over pieces in my head, and that's really beneficial, but I also do need to improve my coordination. Tapping out a pattern with the fingers is surely beneficial for improving the response of individual fingers/ coordination. At the end of the day though, it needs to be practiced in relation to the keys, as you said.

[ajspiano]

I agree. I only mention it because, perhaps, it's possible to make the 4th finger more dexterous - Though it'll probably do more harm than good. I understand that the best way to improve is the practice AT the piano. I was, like the OP, merely looking for exercises to do at school/work. I go over pieces in my head, and that's really beneficial, but I also do need to improve my coordination. Tapping out a pattern with the fingers is surely beneficial for improving the response of individual fingers/ coordination. At the end of the day though, it needs to be practiced in relation to the keys, as you said.

Get either "the craft of piano" or "all thumbs" by Alan Fraser. The latter may be more in line with what you are looking for.

[49410enrique]

somehow i think i misinterpreted what the poist would be about when i first read the title) as I immediate went to this with the intent to post but now see it as completely 'off' of what i now believe you meant lol