Phillip Exercises for Finger Independence

[stephenv]

Has anyone here used Phillip's Exercises for Finger Independence and if so did you realize any benefits?

[ranjit]

I know this doesn't answer your question exactly, but I don't feel like sets of exercises usually allow you to learn proper technique by themselves. If you have a good teacher, they can suggest them in context -- however, there are a large number of highly ineffective ways to play something, and drilling them in using exercises sounds like a bad idea.

[lelle]

I have done the first couple of series. I'd strongly advice against using them without supervision from a skilled teacher who can play well. If you play them in a tense way, you risk harming yourself or your technique.

[anacrusis]

I know these types of exercises, and there can be a benefit, but there is also a great danger with them. They can encourage some very bad habits. I agree that you should have guidence from an expert teacher if you want to try these types of exercises.

[stephenv]

thank you all for your replies:  This is what I've learned over time:   The Phillipp Independence Exercises are for those who already have beginning technique under their belt...hand position secured...and an intermediate ability for flexibility.  One important ability that I feel essential:  being able to hold notes at surface level when you are playing other notes in the same hands.  To KEY BED the held notes..i.e to.depress them to the bottom of the keybed and holding them tensely there...sets up a situation for injury.  Lifting fingers high not a good idea either....  I leaned many of the technical lessons that Guy Maier promoted and taught...and I use them in my approach to the Phillipp exercises.   I once studied with a teacher who had studied with Maurice Dumesnil who knew Phillipp.  Dumesnil cautioned about these saying that they could be harmful if one had no instruction in how to approach them.   

[lelle]

Dumesnil cautioned about these saying that they could be harmful if one had no instruction in how to approach them.   

Definitely. But pressing down the key to the keybed and holding it there is part of the exercise. The problem is that you need to figure out how to hold the key securely down while staying totally supple everywhere - no stiffening of wrists or elbows or shoulders etc. If you don't hold down the held notes properly you'll struggle with tension. I see it as basic legato technique (where you overhold one note as you play the next) on steroids. But definitely find a teacher who can safely guide you if you are going to do them.