As pianists, one of the keys to expressing ourselves freely is having finger independence. Unfortunately, it isn’t a topic that is widely discussed, but in today’s blog post, we will explore what finger independence is and discuss 4 ways to improve it.
Lets begin!
What Is Finger Independence?
Finger independence is the ability to move one or more fingers without affecting any of the others. If you place your hand on a hard surface and try to lift each finger at a time, the thumb to middle finger should be relatively easy, but you may run into some problems with the ring and pinky fingers. This is because the muscles connected to the tendons of those fingers are close to connected or the same.
This is not the case for everyone, though. A small percentage of people can naturally move their ring finger completely independent of their pinky and vice versa.
Since the majority of us are not that lucky, we will have to find ways to increase our finger independence that we will discuss next.
Ways To Improve Finger Independence
1. Hanon/Czerny Exercises
Hanon’s “The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises” is a classic resource for developing finger strength and independence. The exercises are designed to isolate and work each finger independently. By practicing these regularly, you’ll improve coordination and dexterity across all fingers.
Czerny exercises, found in collections like “The School of Velocity” and “The Art of Finger Dexterity,” are renowned for their effectiveness in improving finger independence. These exercises feature rapid passages, intricate fingerings, and varied articulations that require each finger to move precisely and independently.
2. Polyrhythmic Exercises
Doing polyrhythmic exercises, where each finger plays a different rhythm, can significantly enhance finger independence. For example, play triplets with one finger while playing eighth notes with another. When notated, it would look something like this.
Exercises like these force your brain to process different rhythmic patterns simultaneously, improving coordination and independence.
3. Using Grip Strengtheners
Having good grip strength is important because it improves the strength of your wrist, palm, and fingers. Stronger fingers make it easier to do exercises that improve independence, so do not neglect your grip strength.
There are countless types of grip strengtheners to choose from online, but personally, I use this one from Amazon. You can adjust the tension as you get stronger, and it counts your reps for you.
4. Playing Drums On The Keyboard
This one is for the piano players. It may sound strange, but I can assure you that it works. This improved my finger independence over the years without me even knowing.
As a kid growing up, I always wanted to be a drummer, but my parents didn’t want to put up with the noise. Years later, after getting bit by the piano bug, I still had an appreciation for drums, so I started playing drum sounds on my keyboard for fun.
I still do it to this day, and it made me realize that I was actually practicing finger independence all this time. Try playing a Brazilian samba drum groove on the keyboard. I can assure you that your finger independence will improve greatly.
What I like about this method of improving finger independence is that it doesn’t feel like you’re doing finger exercises. It just feels like you’re messing around trying to figure out how to play a drum groove on the keyboard.
Conclusion
To conclude, finger independence is a crucial skill for any pianist looking to enhance their expressiveness and technical ability. While some of us may have a natural advantage, most will need to work on developing this skill deliberately. Incorporating exercises like Hanon and Czerny, practicing polyrhythms, strengthening your grip, and even experimenting with drum patterns on your keyboard are all effective ways to improve your finger independence.
Remember, the journey to better finger independence is gradual. Be patient, practice regularly, and soon you’ll notice significant improvements in your playing. Whether you’re performing intricate passages or simply wanting more control over your expression, these techniques will help you get there.
Happy practicing!
