Piano Technique: Why Everyone Should Buy Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist

[@stevenfink8325]

I have returned to the piano, after studying drums with the great teacher Henry Adler. Seeking virtuosity, I followed the instructions in the beginning of the Hanon book every day, practicing the entire book in about an hour. The result: synovitis of my right hand and a subsequent hand operation. Too bad you videos were not available back then. After searching for the "Henry Adler of the piano", I have found him, and you are it! Thanks for very much your fantastic very helpful lessons.

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for sharing your experience and for adding your voice to the message I trying to share. All the best to you in music and life!

[@williamvaughan7990]

I haven't bought into Hanon, but I buy into my teacher who wants me to practice it. Which I'm cool with, obviously, as I'm still with her. I don't know. It's not a holy grail. You've got to pay attention and focus on what you're trying to get out of it.

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, William. But before investing too much in Hanon (and not working on other more important and productive things) I encourage you to check out... piano-ology.com/piano-technique-commentary-on-hanon-cortot-czerny-etc/ All the best to you in music and life!

[@aBachwardsfellow]

a little Hanon - properly and creatively applied - can be useful as a warm-up. The religiously-dogmatic view that playing all of Hanon incessantly will incontrovertibly render a good technic is ill-founded and mis-guided .." hogwash" - to state it gently ... Here's a few examples of how I use the Hanon patterns for some beneficial results : I only use a couple - Hanon #1 and #5 - but 5 - 10 minutes of Hanon a couple of times a week can be beneficial as a warm-up. You don't need to do them all every day - the benefits become redundant and of decreasing value. Here is how I use the Hanon exercises #1 and #5 : - play in all major keys - parallel octaves - play in all major keys - parallel 10ths - play in all major keys - parallel 6ths - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel octaves - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel 10ths - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel 6ths - play in a dotted rhythm: long ... short long ... short long ... - switch the dotted rhythm: short long ... short long ... short - play the last 3 of the 4 notes in triplets: long ... tri-pl-et long ... tri-pl-et long ... - switch the triplets to the first 3 notes: tri-pl-et long ... tri-pl-et long ... Using all of the above - rhythms, keys, and intervals: - play both hands staccato - play both hands legato - play left hand staccato and right hand legato - play left hand legato and right hand staccato Using all of the above rhythms, keys, intervals, and touches: - play both hands pianissimo - play both hands forte - play left hand pianissimo and right hand forte - play left hand forte and right hand pianissimo - play both hands from pianissimo crescendo ascending to forte and from forte decrescendo descending to pianissimo - play both hands from forte decrescendo ascending to pianissimo and from pianissimo crescendo descending to forte - accent the 1st note of every 4 notes - accent the 2nd note of every 4 notes - accent the 3rd note of every 4 notes - accent the 4th note of every 4 notes - accent the 1st and 3rd notes of every 4 notes - accent the 1st and 4th notes of every 4 notes - accent the 2nd and 3rd notes of every 4 notes - accent the 3rd and 4th notes of every 4 notes - hold down the 1st note of every 4 notes while playing the remaining 3 notes That should provide sufficient benefits from Hanon just a couple of sessions each week. If not, maybe pick out a few more Hanon's to liven things up a bit . (wait til you try F# harmonic minor in 10ths and 6ths - it's a douzy! ;-)

[@gunz300]

I have the Hanon book and like using it warm up, but I do it at a slow tempo to make sure I'm relaxed, notes are even and I'm in the right state of mind for practicing. I agree 100% just cranking up the metronome and belting out those exercises is completely useless. I've been classically trained and none of my teachers taught me Hanon when I was learning and I'm glad they didn't.

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, my friend!

[@agent8698]

Russian virtuoso Lola Astanova said something on her blog about Hanon: "Q: Are Hanon exercises helpful? A: Don’t know, never used them." Also, Abby Whiteside, the great piano teacher, rejected the Hanon exercises in her teaching and writing. And yet, apparently, many pianists use them and believe in them. Perhaps it is like a religion that you absorb as a child, before you had a chance to really think about it.

[@Pianoologist]

Thank you for having the generosity and courage to teach, for contributing your eloquent voice in support of the message, my friend. I am so glad that you are here! Best wishes in life and music. Peace, Frank

[@aBachwardsfellow]

a little Hanon - properly and creatively applied - can be useful. The religiously-dogmatic view that playing all of Hanon incessantly will incontrovertibly render a good technic is ill-founded and mis-guided .." hogwash" - to state it gently ...

[@mmartin7483]

Just turned into your video .. I find it funny and different that you look back into the camera .. now just waiting to see / hear actual exercise... love your saying.. 'dug a dry well' + inform of collective insanity..... Ooops where did you go? Where's the correct way of practicing???

[@Pianoologist]

Correct way to STUDY-PRACTICE: piano-ology.org/course-outline/how-to-study-practice/

[@jennah1191]

Hahaha, collective insanity. You are so funny.

[@Pianoologist]

Jenna, my dear, I am glad that we found each other! : )

[@madsoussi9863]

what is the right way man ?

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for asking. I suggest beginning with piano technique fundamentals kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2Tn6mtoJV2irc body awareness training kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3jKcpuolsinatk and micro-lessons kzbin.info/www/bejne/baC6dGZ4a7OnhMk and follow your instincts from there. Peace.

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for asking. I suggest beginning with piano technique fundamentals kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2Tn6mtoJV2irc body awareness training kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3jKcpuolsinatk and micro-lessons kzbin.info/www/bejne/baC6dGZ4a7OnhMk and follow your instincts from there. Peace.

[@Alkis05]

This video is like a honey trap for traditionalists.

[@Pianoologist]

Yes, it is... thanks for noticing! : )

[@levistgermain5814]

Can you practice hanon in different Scales ?

[@aBachwardsfellow]

YES! - I only use a couple - Hanon #1 and #5 - but 5 - 10 minutes of Hanon a couple of times a week can be very beneficial - you don't need to do them all every day - the benefits become redundant and of decreasing value. Here is how I use the Hanon exercises #1 and #5 : - play in all major keys - parallel octaves - play in all major keys - parallel 10ths - play in all major keys - parallel 6ths - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel octaves - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel 10ths - play in all harmonic minor keys - parallel 6ths - play in a dotted rhythm: long ... short long ... short long ... - switch the dotted rhythm: short long ... short long ... short - play the last 3 of the 4 notes in triplets: long ... tri-pl-et long ... tri-pl-et long ... - switch the triplets to the first 3 notes: tri-pl-et long ... tri-pl-et long ... Using all of the above - rhythms, keys, and intervals: - play both hands staccato - play both hands legato - play left hand staccato and right hand legato - play left hand legato and right hand staccato Using all of the above rhythms, keys, intervals, and touches: - play both hands pianissimo - play both hands forte - play left hand pianissimo and right hand forte - play left hand forte and right hand pianissimo - play both hands from pianissimo crescendo ascending to forte and from forte decrescendo descending to pianissimo - play both hands from forte decrescendo ascending to pianissimo and from pianissimo crescendo descending to forte - accent the 1st note of every 4 notes - accent the 2nd note of every 4 notes - accent the 3rd note of every 4 notes - accent the 4th note of every 4 notes - accent the 1st and 3rd notes of every 4 notes - accent the 1st and 4th notes of every 4 notes - accent the 2nd and 3rd notes of every 4 notes - accent the 3rd and 4th notes of every 4 notes - hold down the 1st note of every 4 notes while playing the remaining 3 notes That should provide sufficient benefits from Hanon just a couple of sessions each week. If not, maybe pick out a few more Hanon's to liven things up a bit . (wait til you try F# harmonic minor in 10ths and 6ths - it's a douzy! ;-)

[@Pianoologist]

Yes, but why would you want to? Have you actually the video enough to see that I said BUY Hanon, but not PLAY Hanon.

[@Alex79bcn]

you catch me and free me too! What a boring exercise book! Hope to see the alternative

[@aBachwardsfellow]

Hanon *may* have had some *minute* relevance to harpsichord-playing. For piano it's nearly horrendous. For modern piano-playing Theodor Leschetizky's "close touch" is far preferable.