Are Hanon piano exercises really all that good?

Question

Are Hanon piano exercises really all that good?

Answer 1

oh my god YES! if you can play that book like the intro tells you to. you're fingers will be trained and strong enough to play just about anything.



it takes a lot of discipline. i haven't gotten very far personally as my fore arms start to kill. but i have see piano players that play very well and can breeze thru that book and play just about anything they can get their hands on!

Answer 2

One of the biggest things practicing does is help you with your body memory, which on piano is your hands and fingers "remembering" where to go for certain keys and chords. The Hanon exercises aren't the most interesting thing, but they definately help you with the above.



I didn't learn piano until I was 25 and I wish that I would have spent more time practicing or would have started younger. It just takes time and persistence.

Answer 3

Absolutely! Especially when practiced in all twelve keys. These exercises are designed to provide a maximum workout for the fingers so one can develop an even dexterity. In addition to the physical process of practicing, it also helps to increase one's endurance for doing these sometimes tedious exercises. Particular focus is on the fourth and fifth fingers as one advances.

Another source for developing technique is Slonimsky's Thesaurus of Scales. These latter are not only physically challenging, but harmonically as well. They will stretch your fingers as well as your ears (to accept more unusual melodic patterns). Improvisors in particular will find these invaluable. Now get started! :)

Answer 4

Hanon exercises are a great place to start, but I would move on to the Louis Phillippe technique book which works on making your fingers work as individuals not as a group

Answer 5

After I started doing them, i noticed definate improvement within a short time. If they aren't working for you, maybe you aren't doing them right. They're supposed to increase speed, strength, and dexterity.

Answer 6

Yes, if you really work hard and give yourself the time to master them. I personally prefer Czerny's etudes because they not only help you overcome technical difficulties, they're also challenging in terms of dynamics and musicality. And they're not as boring!! ;)

Answer 7

No, I've been doing those exercises for years and still no results.

Answer 8

I hated having to do them when I was taking lessons. Good for my fingers, but grating on my ears. Most of the time they sounded like musical nonsense to me.

Answer 9

no, i was stuck with them for 4 years and then i wasnt gettng ne where so i started a new book