Thumb training

[martinn]

Hello
I have many technique books, like Pischna, Czerny and others.
However, could somebody remember a good exercise for thumb training,
ie. efficiency, relaxation, speed and so on ?
I'm about early intermediate.

Thank you, if you remember something worth training 

[pianistavt]

If you're okay with non-written out exercises, there's this one:
play scales (perhaps just C to start, then move on to one flat, one sharp etc), using these fingerings:
1-2-1-2 etc
1-3-1-3 etc
1-4-1-4 etc

What's wrong with finding exercises in your Pischna and Czerny books?

[martinn]

If you're okay with non-written out exercises, there's this one:
play scales (perhaps just C to start, then move on to one flat, one sharp etc), using these fingerings:
1-2-1-2 etc
1-3-1-3 etc
1-4-1-4 etc

What's wrong with finding exercises in your Pischna and Czerny books?

Thank you, I will test my scales. My thougt was that maybe someone remember some exercises they have found useful. I don’t exactly know what to look for.

[quantum]

If you're okay with non-written out exercises, there's this one:
play scales (perhaps just C to start, then move on to one flat, one sharp etc), using these fingerings:
1-2-1-2 etc
1-3-1-3 etc
1-4-1-4 etc

One of my teachers taught a similar exercise.  I think It is better to do this with the supervision of a teacher, at least initially, so to make sure the student is making the correct movements.

[quantum]

Thank you, I will test my scales. My thougt was that maybe someone remember some exercises they have found useful. I don’t exactly know what to look for.

Is there any particular problem you are having with the thumb? 

Exercises are often better suited to address specific problems, rather than be used as general-purpose instructions. 

Before engaging in any thumb exercises, it would be wise to ensure you are employing proper posture and skeletal alignment of the hand and playing apparatus so as to have the supports to the thumb in their optimal positions.  There is no point in doing thumb exercises, if the other parts of the equation are not in place. 

[martinn]

Is there any particular problem you are having with the thumb? 

Exercises are often better suited to address specific problems, rather than be used as general-purpose instructions. 

Before engaging in any thumb exercises, it would be wise to ensure you are employing proper posture and skeletal alignment of the hand and playing apparatus so as to have the supports to the thumb in their optimal positions.  There is no point in doing thumb exercises, if the other parts of the equation are not in place.

Ok

[pianistavt]

Ok

Exercises and Etudes can make demands on the physical apparatus that are new and possibly uncomfortable.  There are a few precepts that some teachers may know about and keep in front of you:   
- play slowly
- play mp
- keep everything relaxed as possible
- - - Josh Wright teaches a "shaking out" technique which I have found useful - you can probably find his video by searching on his name in this forum - and you can expand on it from the basic idea

I've played some etudes that really taxed my hand muscles and the only solution is to keep the wrist and forearm completely fluid and finding resting points

I wouldn't say the finger exercises above are going to tax you that much but these are principles to be aware of - especially with Pischna's exercises, which include a lot of holding notes down while playing others.

[bryfarr]

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