Dohnanyi Excersizes

[pianobabe56]

Yes, I realize that I'm beating this topic over the head with a stick, but I really do want to know- what do people think of Dohnanyi excersizes? I'm getting a lot of mixed signals from people on this forum, so I decided to start a thread that could potentially stay strictly on topic. So, if you could give me a direct opinion and reason you do/don't condone Dohnanyi, I'd appreciate it.

[aki]

I'm sure there's bunch of threads on the Dohnanyi Excersises, just search a bit.

Anyways, I have a copy, and I think it's pretty good, a variation from Hanon and Pischna.

[richard w]

There is one thing (at least!) that I have learnt on this forum, and that is when you practise there needs to be an objective. With repertoire, the objective is quite simple - to learn to play another piece. This of course needs to be broken down into the 'how' things like mastering certain required techniques, listening to your playing and trying to achieve the sound you want to create, trying to get to the bottom of the composer's thoughts and intentions for the composition, etc... With exercises of any nature it is not so simple. If you ask yourself 'Why am I playing Dohnanyi?' and you answer '...to improve my playing.' or '...to improve my technique.', you then need to ask 'How?'. If you can answer this question to your satisfaction then you must conclude that any given exercises from the Dohnanyi book is good, but if you are not sure then it may well be that you are wasting your time.

My opinion is that it could be very easy to master these exercises just for the sake of playing these exercises, and unless I want to perform Dohnanyi at my next recital I suggest this would be a waste of my time. But, if I come across a difficulty in a composition which requires the kind of skills found in any of the exercises, they may well prove to be very useful. But I do feel that this last suggestion would prove to be something of an exception.



Richard.

[ehpianist]

Good for finger independence.  Don't overdo them.  I go on and off excercises depending on my mood.

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com