Exercises for Adults Taking Piano Lessons
For people taking piano lessons for adults, there are a variety of exercises you can do to improve your skills. Whether you’re trying to strengthen your fingers or practice your timing, these exercises will help you progress in your music education. Some of them might be new to you, while others are classic techniques that have been used for years.
Why exercise matters
Even if you’re an experienced player, it’s always good to review the basics and keep your skills sharp. Exercises can also help prevent injuries caused by repetitive motions.
Below are some of the exercise tips for those taking piano lessons for adults:
- Stress ball exercise.
This is the best way to build up muscle memory and get better at playing piano. When your hand automatically goes into that right position on the key, it means you’re doing something well! It also helps strengthen muscles in other parts of our body like arms or shoulders for when we need them most!
Doing this exercise repeatedly will help with both remembering where each finger should go as well as strengthening those specific areas required by music composition (i.e., hands).
Start by imitating a T-Rex stance by your hands. Next, spread your fingers out straight and slowly curl them starting at knuckle closest to fingertips before gently lowering hands back in front of you again
Rise up on toes while keeping palms facing down–now jump over one leg so that both feet are off ground simultaneously (only take this step if able). From here lunge backwards into full split position with arms extended towards horizon then kick your legs outwardly twice rapidly.
Grip the ball firmly and try not to drop your fingertips as this will cause tension in them. Next squeeze slowly with control then relax for 10 seconds before repeating for another couple of minutes.
- Finger drills.
One of the most important lessons legendary pianist and professor Theodor Leschetizky taught us was to practice music on your lap instead of in front of a piano. He believed you could learn more easily and with less effort if it is right in front of where we are playing, as opposed to having something else nearby like sheets or scores.
Finger movement is an essential skill for any pianist. It improves finger-strength and coordination, which can help you practice longer with less pain in your hands! You could try doing this exercise on a dining room table or even while sitting next to someone at work who has their headphones plugged into one of those fancy speakers they use during meetings—the possibilities are endless as long as there’s somewhere flat available (and quiet).
Place your fingers on a flat surface, as though you are playing piano. Next pay attention to the motion of each finger and move them up or down one octave by lifting it in different ways while paying close enough attention not to lift any other than what’s being played at that moment.
Once you have done this exercise a couple of times, try mixing it up by playing sequences. You can use just about any sequence – such as 15324, 14253 and so on.
Lastly, you can play with both hands at the same time. You might be surprised to learn that there are many different techniques for playing sequences using only one finger! Try doing this by having your thumbs serve as fingers number 1 and 2 respectively; it’s not too hard once you get used to it!