| The piano is a beautifully designed, ergonomic | | | | Exercise 2 - Now take your 2nd finger and move it to |
| instrument. Playing the piano is a combination of finger | | | | the side, to play D. Try not to move your hand |
| dexterity, co-ordination and timing. Good fingering is a | | | | backwards. Play the notes C and D using fingers 1 and |
| vital part of playing smoothly. | | | | 2. |
| The fingers are number from 1 to 5. The thumb is 1 | | | | Exercise 3 - Putting these 2 exercises together - play |
| and the little finger is 5. You play the black keys with | | | | C with 1 (your thumb), play C# with finger 2, C with 1, |
| fingers 2, 3, 4 and 5. The job of the thumb is to act as | | | | then D with 2, over and over again: |
| a pivot. Your thumb rests gently on the white keys, | | | | C C# C D C C# C D (using fingers 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2) |
| allowing your arm to feel balanced and light as you | | | | Remember to take your 2nd finger across and back, |
| play. | | | | across and back. Keep your arm steady. Feel the flow |
| When you place your hands onto the piano, first make | | | | of using your hands freely with minimum movement. It |
| sure they are relaxed. Your thumb should be at least | | | | should feel smooth and fluid. |
| 1cm from the edge of the piano. | | | | The secret of playing the piano is to place fingers 2 3 |
| Finger Exercise 1 - Play C with your right hand thumb. | | | | and 4 just beyond the "boundary line" where the black |
| Place finger 2 on C# (C sharp). C# is the black key | | | | keys start. You will then have easy access to play |
| immediately to the right of C. Rock gently between C | | | | any key - black or white. |
| and C#, backwards and forwards. | | | | |