4 Ways to Strengthen the 4th Finger | Piano Tutorial

[@jazerleepiano]

Handy 🕘 Timestamps for you: 0:00 Intro 1:35 First Exercise 2:38 Second Exercise 4:05 Third Exercise 5:51 Fourth Exercise

[@pamjones3377]

Thank you, I’m a 71 year old beginner and am very grateful for tips like this!

[@PAYGG]

Exaggerated and unbelievable

[@Empatiaa]

Hey, Jazer. I just want to say thank you for your free piano lessons and tips. I've been a musician for 21 years (acoustic guitar player), and I'm doing a major in music. Also want to follow a career in conducting. So, I decided to learn the piano. But right now I don't have the money to pay for a teacher. So, I just want to say thank you a lot for your kindness of sharing your knowledge with us! ❤ Is helping me a lot.

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

He's getting paid by KZbin, but I get what you mean. Hehe. He's got paid content, too.

[@scottev954]

Just tried these variations, my 4 and 5 fingers definitely need the work.

[@elissahunt]

As a clarinet/sax player, I have a lot of experience with uncooperative fourth fingers. Mine are probably in better shape than most piano beginners, but that doesn't make them great. To everyone struggling with this I say, don't give up. It takes time, but if you persevere, you'll get there.

[@aleccubides2570]

yo I've been wanting to learn the saxophone...

[@elissahunt]

@@aleccubides2570 So, what's stopping you? Lots of info online on how to find/buy a decent beginner sax, plus more on how to play.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I started early on doing a variation of your fingers down exercise. I put LH 1 and 2 on C and B, RH 1 and 2 on D and E and hold them down. I then play F, G and A with my 3, 4 and 5 in all combinations. The first time I tried I had a burn in the forearm, but massage helps. I've had strong fingers from years of treating people after having to adapt my Chiropractic techniques due to a shoulder injury. But that led me to learn how to treat other people's shoulder, as well as my own. Grabbing a shoulder blade and massaging the interior muscles will do that. It's the same technique that vetenarians have to do to untwist an ovary on a cow. They suffer at first since they don't have finger strength, but after several years of practice, if they succeed they can then treat farm animals. Otherwise they stay in town and treat small animals.

[@foowishamewican]

finger 4 feels horrible to do this exercise....makes me feel odd in my body lol

[@pianistg_7893]

When practicing, if it is a little little bit unconforttable it means it's doing something (but keep in mind that if it is painful you should slow down, wait some time and try again later)

[@150metri]

I can barely move it a few mm up. Have you made any progress?

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

Especially if you are a non-vegan, don't exercise, don't sleep well, and don't hydrate enough, like most Americans.

[@Elppp]

Might be a bit late but another thing that really helped with left hand weakness specifically is to mirror passages you’re playing on the keyboard and to practice it with the left hand this means you’re playing with all the same fingerings so don’t have to change anything about it and can help with allowing the hands to become both equally strong without allowing the right hand (which for most people is more developed) to out pace the left hand

[@andreasmaier5361]

Hi Jazer! This tutorial came just right in time! I tried this morning the C6 where I have to use right hand finger 1 on C, 3 on E, 4 on G and the pinky on A. I became aware that my finger number 4 is a complete disaster.

[@AmandaKMason]

Thanks so much for these. I've been playing a long time, but not until starting to accompany a choir and really work Hanon through for strength, did I realize how weak my left 4th is. Now I just need to remember to employ these regularly.

[@Tiger-sg2zj]

My copy of Hanon Book 1 tells you above each exercise which fingers that exercise was designed to help: No. 7 "Exercise of the greatest importance for the 3rd. 4th and 5th fingers"

[@santodomingo1605]

The title here is a misnomer - you can’t strengthen any fingers since there are no muscles in the fingers to strengthen. The nearest muscles are in the hand: the interosseous, which allows spreading the fingers and the lumbricals, which flex the metacarpophalangeal joints and extend the interphalangeal joints. Experienced pianists will exhibit thick pads on the palm side of the hand where the interosseous muscles (between the fingers) have been developed. Many will not have developed the lumbricals to the same extent. The fourth and fifth digits (the ulnar digits) are more stable and secure than the other digits due to the ulna bone being ‘fixed’ and unable to rotate as does the radius. For this reason it’s a good idea to develop a kinaesthetic awareness of movement anchored around the little finger and not around the thumb. A better question would be why the fourth digit has less agility and independence rather than describe it as weak. There are many online articles explaining why this is so and however much effort one expends in training the 4th finger without consciously using the lumbricals you can’t overcome human anatomy. What you can do, however, is develop the lumbricals both physically and kinaesthetically. These muscles work independently of each other, allowing true individual finger movement. Place a curved (not curled) hand over the keyboard with a digit over adjacent keys. Excluding the thumb, extend (lengthen) each finger in turn into the key three or four times and then let the key push the finger back up again keeping key contact with all digits all the time. Do NOT raise the fingers above the keys as you are relying on the intrinsic muscles of the hand only and not the flexors/extensors in the forearm so keep skin contact with all fingers. After a while try extending each finger in turn into the key, up and down, slowly to start with. I suspect many who attempt this will realise how grossly under-developed these muscles are, but they allow for genuine finger independence - including the ring-finger. This article by Richard Beauchamp is illuminating. www.musicandhealth.co.uk/articles/tension.html

[@dna100]

I'm right handed but have 'played' guitar (very basic chord strumming) for 40 years. I finally decided to learn piano. My left finger 4 can lift and play almost higher than 3! My right is so weak by comparison.. Hopefully these exercise will improve things - but I don't have 40 years left!

[@naravishthongnok5899]

As a left-handed, it found this extreme helpful. Most songs, especially the beginner's ones are right hand focus, and I can barely play them at all because my RH 4th simply refuse to move. I can't even life it up high enough clear the key.

[@anabelsuerodegonzalez3061]

Great lesson, thank you! I’ll put it to practice, that 4th. finger is indeed the weakest. I appreciate your lessons and attention to detail problems in playing. Best!

[@kyana_adelia]

Wow this video came out at the right time for me! About 3 days ago I had some trouble doing one of your finger independence exercises from like two years ago just because my 4th finger didn't want to cooperate. This was very coincidental thank you!

[@PianoMatronNeeNee]

Thanks Jazer! I’m a player at 55 and finger weaknesses is a struggle. Great advice. Sending many thanks from Miami.

[@annedwyer5572]

Thank you, this was a very useful video and good reminders to help with the weaker fingers😊

[@joeb4349]

As you mention, raising all fingers as much as possible is beneficial. Good tutorial !

[@OgeIloanusi]

Great tutorial! Thanks! Jazer

[@lotusgaming4650]

Hi Jazer ! I really love all your tutorial. I got stuck with song "Flower Dance" for a month because I always misses or failed when playing the whole song. After change the way of practice as you suggested, Magical things has happenned. I can play in self-confident way and sometimes autopilot but surely my fingers knew the way :D Can you suggest more how to play the sound soft and like wind/misty ? I practiced on electric piano, but mostly performed on Grand piano. The sound seems heavy than usual and it's not good for dynamic. Thank you for your reading and all your tutorials !

[@piano-harpsolos]

Omg Jazer!! Love these exercises....l'll start practicing these trills and scales like this. Keep the videos coming!

[@WorstSanta]

I would say, Hanon 19 and 20 are most useful in this spite, IMHO. Thanks for the tips, Jazer!

[@nguyenduongsaigon625]

I just started learning piano for 2-3 months, and your youtube channel really help me out, thought I didn't practice any of ur excercise, but the way that you explain in the logical way in all of your excercise and the advice that you told bring me a good basis knowledge, If I was living in ur country I would registry your class :3. Btw, It's be really nice of you if you give me some advance tips, like I really want to practive diversity in chords, but I dunno which way is really effective, like pick random song which is little above your skill, or practice using 'Circle of Fifth' with 3 to 4 Chords in row.

[@inaki.rodriguez]

Thank you for the video and all ideas🎉

[@pianomelloyt7248]

have you made a video on how and when to use the sustain pedal

[@jazerleepiano]

I have, you can find it in my channel.

[@taichikuen]

Thanks, Jazer.

[@OgechukwuIloanusi-l3u]

Great! Thanks!

[@lizweekes8076]

Thanks 🎉

[@anamattos01]

This helped me a lot! Thank you very much!!!

[@umangmishra9328]

❤ lovely artist of piano

[@newdimension2487]

Thanks

[@SomaPaul-kl2cn]

I learn many thing about piano playing from your videos.. Please make a video on harmony notes exercise.. Thank you..

[@Coda02]

Thank you for your amazing free lessons! I would love to see a video about how to play maj7 and min7 arpeggios over more than 1 octave!

[@uskkshare]

You’re young man I agree, Thanks

[@introvertedcaroline]

Thank you for making this very helpful video. 💙

[@VeroAndrad]

Thank you!

[@LakshyaBarasiwal]

hey jazer,you are truly awesome at playing piano.........could you please make a tutorial on bach prelude 2 in c minor

[@jazerleepiano]

Let me see what I can do.

[@LakshyaBarasiwal]

Thanks

[@DanaDelRey]

Thanks alot❤

[@glenndiddy]

I'm right handed, but my left hands 4th finger is way stronger than my right hand. I played the guitar for 8 years before picking up piano so my struggle is actually with the right hand

[@damarisfuenteslorenzo]

I was told fingers does not have muscles, but tendons, so if i wanted to have better movenents i should involve the wrist, to facilitate the work to 4th and 5th fingers. Is that correct?

[@susanmorrison8403]

My husband is a chiropractor and informed me that fingers do indeed have muscles, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to move them.

[@pianoatthirty]

@@susanmorrison8403 Umm, our entire body is covered with different muscles. With regards to playing the piano, you don't use 'finger muscles', you use arm weight to stay balanced on each key. That's what makes them feel "strong" - not the 'strength' of their individual muscles.

[@alanbejarano4940]

@@pianoatthirty to rise a finger you need to activate a specific muscle, when playing piano every finger needs to be raised

[@velcroman11]

Re the second exercise, the trill. Will you please let the ambulance pass.

[@ПтицаГоворун-п3ж]

Could you please make a video about how exactly to press buttons? I have a pain in my right wrist like all the time. Some channels on youtube suggests that a button should not be pushed but rather "grabbed". It enables other muscle groups . But I don't understand wjat it is - to "grab" a button. Where my fingers should press? How to avoid wrist pain?

[@aleccubides2570]

learning how the 4th finger is really nothing, until you teach it to play hard enough, it becomes something usable in anything like the piano

[@AlSween]

I will try all of these. I've played piano for years but I would love to improve. Also, do you have suggestions for playing Chopin with small hands? I've been slowly working on Fantasie Impromptu and I'm wondering if this piece is just not for me.

[@SambaFIFA]

Might actually need this tutorial, as I am currently practicing the Hungarian Rhapsody no 6 by Liszt...

[@iospetrosky2]

Thanks for the excercises. I will certainly try them. I just wonder how much it will take for a 53yo "boy" to improve the 4th finger. I assume that if you start young, when your bones are not yet fossilised ;-) it will be faster.

[@brianrosenthalbudack]

I would like to know where to start on your page? I want to start learning and the reality of working 45 to 60 hours a wekk in a kitchen gets in the way of lessons. what video do you recommend someone start with?

[@ladyp5511]

Can you please look into narrow keyboards for us smaller hands players? That would be extremely helpful and a topic that isn't discussed enough. Love your videos! You've helped so many people improve.🙂

[@introvertedcaroline]

This video is very helpful for small hands. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OmeHtraNR6osU

[@carlosfres6677]

The trill is ver difficult to do. Do you have an exercise to do to avoid the pinky finger to going up when hit the key with the fourth finger.

[@AlexanderPochertPiano]

As dumb as it sounds, but start very slowly and controlled. Use a metronom as well. When you can play it comfortably at a slow speed, do it with 4 bpm more. Repeat the process.

[@gustough]

Nice!

[@splatterdaynightmares]

It's 3 & 4 for me. 5 is ok. But I can still play a little bit.

[@adelewallace3774]

My word just did the fingers on the arm and unreal how little i can move that 4th finger

[@susanmorrison8403]

What can be done to reduce tension in particular fingers? I have a student whose left 5th finger gets very tense, stiff, and sore and tends to stick up when she plays.

[@bluetaurean]

Can you recommend a structured course and book for adults beginning to learn the piano?

[@toilatrungkien-r4k]

it’s pretty ironic for me, i recognize most people are better with their right hand while im a gamer so i use my left hand more to type WASD and shift space so pretty much my fingers are independent on my left, while my right hand’s fingers only are good with pointy and middle, 4th is a bit stiff while weakest is my pinky 😂

[@kamugishadickens4988]

Which book would you recommend for a person who wants to learn how to play piano together with sheet music?

[@Delicatamente]

Best exercise for 4th is Chopin 10-8 :)

[@feurigerStern]

The trill using my 4th & 5th fingers sounds tragic😢

[@WILLIAMAUGUSTINENORLEY]

😢

[@dougmarton83]

Great video and channel, you have a very clear presenting style with great information. As an addition can i recommend Dohnanyi finger exercise number 1, its a great combination of holding down fingers and trilling - well worth a look.

[@deeptikapoor1326]

i actually did quite good in it

[@greatmusicchannel8549]

i have 4th and 5th fingers problem, when i play both of this finger sounds together(second) and my 5th finger do not move up properly.It is lazy finger.How could i solve this problem? could you record the video about this problem?

[@thomasgatti]

I'm right handed but my left is so much better for some reason. Probably cos I'm used to reaching when playing arpeggio

[@gabrielpunsalan8994]

Can you teach us how to read notes?

[@bee5318]

Please help to share Hanan sheets for practice. Thank you 🙇

[@marktapley7571]

Hello Jazzer, do you think it is better on the first 36 exercises in Hannon, to play them hands separate. I am a self taught (struggling) adult and have just started Czerny book 740 (177 pages) and have got to no. 6 but can only play 3-4-5 slowly with some mistakes. Is this a good practice repertoire and how do you rate it with Brahms (I have not looked at it yet)? Thanks.

[@BeachBoi1000]

Using the guitar finger grip helps also right, I use it for my 🎷

[@cecelialawshe-6531]

Where’s Milo? Also I was trying to find the video where you suggested some preludes and fugues that were good to begin with, but I went through all the videos listed and couldn’t find it.

[@lawrencer4912]

Arm rotation takes care of all of that

[@tiffcat1100]

Ring finger of my right hand is markedly less flexible than on my left hand (I’m right handed)

[@noyapotato7843]

the amount of frustration I get from my fourth finger

[@tegegnetegegne4409]

How Can I improve my piano skill with a tablet

[@miguelzhang2009]

does practicing chromatic scale with 3, 4, 5 fingrrs help?

[@ForrestHudson-c4j]

…I have watched numerous KZbinrs sharing their practice techniques and ALL of them inevitably refer to the LEFT hand as the weakest. I’m here to tell you as a LEFT handler it is NOT the weaker of the two. Presumed prejudices prevail 😮…

[@philipsandberg8844]

Excellent tips kid... Thank you, I truly appreciate them.

[@make_the_world_better_place]

My arms are tired because I push my fingers hard. 😂

[@pianopressofficial]

Hanon

[@sabreenmahmoud3814]

My hands get more weakness every time I try make some hard things like the 4th finger I feel i can't play piano well because of this

[@starfishfishy4972]

when i trill, my pointer finger becomes raised. how do i stop this or is it fine it it happens?

[@heartandsoulfunandmix3082]

Fourth finger while the pinky down.

[@Rose-o5y7t]

Y las salmas donde las llevan?

[@Photologistic]

What if you don’t have a red ring finger?

[@gregoryfenn1462]

I can only lift finger 4 less than 1 cm. Like just barely. And other fingers twitch when I move it. Also it's very painful...

[@jftefa7372]

I caaaaan’t use my both hands I’ve tried alooot but I can’t 😤

[@jamesben1]

Don’t stress about it. It just takes time and practice.

[@jftefa7372]

@@jamesben1 I am almost 2 years playing piano and practicing but I can’t

[@ckc3504]

Probably playing too fast, just slow it way down to a rediculous level and start from there.

[@jftefa7372]

@@ckc3504 I started very sloooow but it doesn’t work too 😫I really have an issue with is I can’t play with both hands

[@NameBegatsName]

Practice for two more years.

[@jarrettpang1020]

Whenever I learn a new song after like one day I tend to get bored and after that ai don’t play it anymore.

[@Myyoutubemymy4118]

Same here, like I totally lose the taste on that piece

[@sonja_rademacher]

That is the difference between a real musician and a not so real one. A real musician just practises one piece or one song over and over again, for months and sometimes for years. Try to not think about it, just do it. Set a timer to 5 minutes and just play a few bars if your piece over and over again. Next day you add on bar. And so on.

[@elissahunt]

What works for me is to always be working on more than one thing. If I have a hard piece that's going to take a long time to learn, I make sure to have a couple of easier things to work on as well. I change out the easy ones so I'm not doing the same thing all the time. And I make sure to occasionally run through things I already know and find fun to play. In the long run though, the difference between a great musician and a mediocre one is the great musician finds joy in practice. They don't mind repetition, and enjoy the challenge of learning.

[@unclemick-synths]

Just keep looking for new songs. It's likely the pieces don't inspire you. My piano teacher was pretty good at moving on as soon as I understood the technique each piece was teaching.

[@YokieStillExists]

It's weird how I have a weak pinky finger and a strong ring finger

[@noparticularhandle]

Kid named ring finger

[@iamheretoruinyourdays.2781]

Early

[@deadmanswife3625]

Always better than late. You made my day

[@Rose-o5y7t]

Please. You make it stronger because it has to do with Cuba. That's all.

[@adelewallace3774]

Left hand 4th finger is even weaker and less movement and i am left handed

[@user4kjsd4576shg]

am i the only one whos 4th finger is as strong as all of my fingers?😅😅

[@gregoryfenn1462]

Yes, also that's unlikely to be true since your fourth finger shares tendoms with your third, which you use much more than yiue fourth.

[@tessiechuachiaco6971]

Absolutely unnecessary! Explore rotation and interdependence of the fingers as taught by Dorothy Taubman.

[@pianoatthirty]

Seriously, what is this, the year 1893? I can't believe people are still talking about 'strengthening the fingers'.

[@THEoneandonlystika]

piano is not for me

[@judy9301]

Why?!

[@viggos.n.5864]

Step 1, don't isolate the 4th finger.

[@AJRhythmic]

short answer: play guitar

[@pianoatthirty]

To any beginner out there watching this - there is literally no such thing as "finger strength" when it comes to successful piano playing. The idea of "strengthening fingers" will just cause you injury. Look up Dorothy Taubman's work on Tonebase.

[@bifeldman]

Why would you use the fourth finger in such an unnatural way? Begging for an injury. Use the finger as it is made and left it with its neighbors without any stress.

[@yahyakhazbak4713]

plz dont move the middle finger

[@leftyzappa]

LOL