Piano technique exercise N°2 in Bb

Notes by C. L. Hanon :

• Special exercise for the 3^rd and 4^th fingers of the hand.

• The 4^th and 5^th fingers being naturally weak, it should be observed that this exercise, and those following it up to Exercise N°20, are intended to render them as strong and agile as the 2^nd and 3^rd.

• For each Key : When this exercise is mastered, repeat the preceding one, and play both together four times without interruption; the fingers will gain considerably by practising these exercises, and those following, in this way.

How to practice piano more effectively :

• Practice each hand separately first.

• Practice this exercise slowly in the beginning (metronome on 60). If you played it easily, and precisely with the metronome, move the tempo up one notch. Continue to practice in this way until you reach 108 bpm.

• Try to practice Hanon Exercise N°2 in the other keys, starting with the white keys (C, D, E, F, G, A, and B) and then going to the black keys (D-flat, E-flat, G-flat, A-flat, and B-flat). You can also transpose Hanon exercises within the cycle of fifths. The fingering remains constant in all keys.

• Practice with various dynamics. Practice soft, loud and everything in between.

• As you practice, vary the touch. Play staccato, play legato, and play two-note slurs.

• Practice in different rhythms.

• And as Charles-Louis Hanon recommends it, practice the exercises by lifting the fingers high and with precision, playing each note very distinctly.

We hope the above tips will help make your piano practice more efficient.