Daily exercises for piano
Essential piano exercises include five-finger patterns for warming up, major/minor scales, and broken chords to build finger independence, dexterity, and strength.
Daily practice of these, along with Hanon exercises and arpeggios, helps improve coordination, speed, and overall technique.
Essential Beginner Piano Exercises
Five-Finger Scales (Penta-scales): Place hands in a C position (thumb on C, pinky on G). Play up and down, focusing on even tone and independence, both legato (smooth) and staccato (detached).
Contrary Motion Scales: Play scales starting with thumbs together on middle C, moving outwards to lower/higher notes and back, which improves brain-hand coordination.
Broken Chords: Play chord notes individually rather than simultaneously to build finger agility.
Hanon Exercises: From The Virtuoso Pianist, these 60 exercises focus on independence and evenness of fingers, especially the ring finger.
Forearm Scales: Play scales while feeling pressure with the forearm to ensure even, controlled pressure from all fingers.
Daily Routine & Techniques
Using a Metronome: Start at 60 bpm to ensure a steady tempo, increasing speed only when confident.
Circle of Fifths Chords: Practice all major chords in order (C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#, Ab, Eb, Bb, F) to master chord shapes.
Hand Independence Drills: Play staccato with one hand and legato with the other, or play different rhythms in each hand (e.g., quarter notes vs. eighth notes).
Top Resources
Czerny: 100 Progressive Studies: Excellent for improving sight-reading and technique.
Schmitt: Preparatory Exercises: Focuses on strengthening finger independence.
Daily practice of these, along with Hanon exercises and arpeggios, helps improve coordination, speed, and overall technique.
Essential Beginner Piano Exercises
Five-Finger Scales (Penta-scales): Place hands in a C position (thumb on C, pinky on G). Play up and down, focusing on even tone and independence, both legato (smooth) and staccato (detached).
Contrary Motion Scales: Play scales starting with thumbs together on middle C, moving outwards to lower/higher notes and back, which improves brain-hand coordination.
Broken Chords: Play chord notes individually rather than simultaneously to build finger agility.
Hanon Exercises: From The Virtuoso Pianist, these 60 exercises focus on independence and evenness of fingers, especially the ring finger.
Forearm Scales: Play scales while feeling pressure with the forearm to ensure even, controlled pressure from all fingers.
Daily Routine & Techniques
Using a Metronome: Start at 60 bpm to ensure a steady tempo, increasing speed only when confident.
Circle of Fifths Chords: Practice all major chords in order (C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#, Ab, Eb, Bb, F) to master chord shapes.
Hand Independence Drills: Play staccato with one hand and legato with the other, or play different rhythms in each hand (e.g., quarter notes vs. eighth notes).
Top Resources
Czerny: 100 Progressive Studies: Excellent for improving sight-reading and technique.
Schmitt: Preparatory Exercises: Focuses on strengthening finger independence.
26-30, F