Do I Have to Practice Piano Exercises?
The goal of piano practice is usually to help the student become a better pianist. However, every student needs specific goals to work towards improving himself. Once you determine what you need to work on, that will help you prioritize your piano practice time.
Most pianists need to work on developing the arm muscles as well as the hand and finger dexterity to get the power needed for chords and endurance. Finger exercises such as studies by Hanon or Czerny are effective for developing finger power. When finger exercises are practiced along with arm exercises such as lifting light weights, you will find that you are armed with the power to become a better pianist.
Pianist need to have a finger technique that is quick and accurate, as well as strong. When a pianist practices with fingering exercises they will discover that they have more stamina as a pianist. The exercises or patterns may be practiced slowly at first, then speed can be added to these exercises later.
A good way to start off a practice session is to play your exercises to keep your fingers agile and ready to play your pieces. Do not spend too much time doing extra exercises fingers and your hands as this will not benefit your piano technique. Actually, this can delay your build up of finger dexterity as large muscles can slow it down.
The arm also contains finger muscles, so when you bend your wrist and fingers in unconventional or unnatural ways you can inflict lasting damage. Try playing in a relaxed and less tense way so that your wrist is supple not tightened or rigid. Any kind of tightness or rigidity in your arm can affect your wrist or fingers can cause pain, and when that happens take a breather and rest your hands awhile.
Piano exercises are generally not popular with piano students, because they have a reputation of being boring and tedious. Many piano teachers expect students to play exercises as a part of the practice routine, and they usually expect the student to play them at the beginning of practice. Students should not feel that it is a useless waste of time, as they can look forward to some degree of improvement in finger dexterity and strength in just a few weeks.
There are many alternatives to repetitive sections of scales. For instance selecting certain etudes that concentrate on different technical aspects can be just as profitable and are much more interesting to play. Piano exercises will help you develop flexibility and are great for warming-up your fingers before actually practicing your pieces of music.
The long-term results of practicing piano exercises can be increased finger dexterity, which is always a good thing. However, you want to make sure that they do not do damage to your fingers or make you lose interest in your practice sessions. Keep in mind while you are practicing exercises that this is not the music you wish to make as they are merely a means to an end.
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