Piano Exercises

If you’re a pianist then you know the importance of regular practice and finger “exercise” on the instrument. Here are some tips to help strengthen fingers and dexterity with the piano, some of which can be worked on even without the instrument itself.

1. Play some scales.

It’s true, scales can be an irritating repetition for musicians, but they along with arpeggios really work! Not only do they help reinforce knowledge of notes and key signatures, but they aid in finger strength and rhythm. Try playing scales in a variety of ways: legato, staccato, regular rhythm, etc.

2. Finger stretches.

Play two notes at least an octave apart with thumb and finger, and play a third note somewhere in between with a finger of your choice. (using your 4th finger might be a good choice, as it’s one of the weaker fingers to begin with) Also try holding your thumb down on one note and play ascending staccato notes as far up as possible with another one of your fingers to stretch them.

3. Work your weaker hand, too.

Practice parts that are usually played by your dominant hand with your “weaker” hand to familiarize that hand with melodic lines and new exercises.

4. Work your weaker fingers.

For most pianists and piano students, the fifth finger (pinky) is weaker than the other fingers. Try practicing scales and keeping the volume even across all fingers, which might require a bit of an extra push with the fourth and fifth fingers. Doing this will help strengthen your weaker fingers.

5. Tempo changes.

Try playing pieces that you know very well (or even have memorized) at different speeds. Start off as slow as possible, and work your way to a tempo faster than what you normally play at.