Scales & Hanon are meditative. Hanon in particular integrates my neurology with the touch of the piano. In 2011 I was 6 months in palliative care. I wasn't expected to survive more than a couple of week max. The meds given also attack the body's longest nerves. I didn't leave my bed for the first 3 months. ...was down to 96 pounds ....FF through 5 years home recovery. I was doing an exercise in change by Louise Hay that involves the clasping of the hands. While doing that I remembered my mother (RN of 40 years) once saying "Nerves reroute themselves given time and use". I couldn't even touch a hard surface without pain. There was no stability of gait to even attempt to play piano ...but I sat down and started the metronome very slow and did FIVE minutes with my left hand (the most damaged side) alternating between a white and black key. I wasn't able to do it in time with a 1/4 note beat set 40 ...my fingers galloped. I kept at it in 5 minute sessions which built up over a year to where I was playing FOUR to SEVEN hours a day & playing better than I ever had before. As little as 30 minutes of Hanon does something to the neural system. My lucid dreams become radically more frequent and active. Speaking of touch typing ...when I was doing marathon practice hours I temporarily lost my ability to touch type. The natural striking order for piano playing is different than that for typing. Who knows ...mysteries. Xoxo
Since some teachers will say that Hanon is not necessary, and one should just learn pieces, I was gratified to listen to Mr. Estrin's comments about Hanon, which I spent years playing, from the very beginning of my lessons to today.....glad to learn it was not time wasted! And inspiring me to continue with playing Hanon and scales every day as a "warm up" before tackling actual pieces.
The overhead view is very helpful. I noticed how your thumb immediately moves inward after striking a key during scales. I've had problems with achieving evenness of tone in my left hand descending scales and I think it's because of a "lazy" thumb. I'll work on preparing my thumb better from this point on.
Thanks for the inspiration, Robert. As someone trying to get back into piano after several decades, remembering the importance of practicing Hanon and your recommendation for 4 rather than 2-octave scales is much appreciated.
Great video Robert! I needed to hear this. I have been practicing an hour a day since March of this year. Primarily focusing on fingering of the major scales. Chords and note reading after that. Working on the scales are almost obsessive for me as well as very relaxing! I think I’m ready to move on to minor scales now. Keep up the encouraging videos!
Thank you for another great video Robert! As someone who just started out some months ago and is at Hanon's 6th I must say that this is yet another video packed with useful information on do's and dont's. :)
A lot of beginners hate scales and arpeggios, but it is so essential, just like playing to the beat of the metronome. One who plays scales badly and miss the beat wont be regarded as a pianist
I am getting back into piano after 25+ years and when thinking about pieces with flats or sharps, I play the scales to remind me…. Childhood comes back into play. Lol! I still have the Hanon book! Lol!
Wow. This was impeccable timing. I just ordered a book to drill scales and arpeggios. Now I know the pound away at Hanon first. Well not pound but you know what I mean.
After yesterdays lesson, this is the one I needed to see. Awesome. I know the exercises from Thompsons method which I was taught on. I am buying the Hanon method book right away. I wish you were my Teacher years ago. You will be moving forward, thank you.
- try playing Hanon in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds - in EVERY KEY - major, melodic, and harmonic minor; for extra fun try playing it in two different keys at the same time - in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds as well; also try contrary motion - LH ascending and RH descending; also try using different rhythms - dotted 1/8 - 1/16th, 1/16th and dotted 1/8th, triplets (o - ooo o - ooo; ooo o - ooo o), with and without accents, etc. etc. I also like to mix them - one of my favorite combos is (ascending) 1 measure of Hanon #1, then a measure of Hanon #5, next measure #1, then #5 - etc. -- descending start with #5, next measure #1, etc. - again in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds - And how about dynamics and articulation - both hands staccato, both legato, one hand staccato and the other one legato, then switch; both hands pianissimo, both hands forte, one hand pianissimo and the other forte (legato/staccato) - then switch; etc. etc. hold the first note while playing the next 7 notes ... be creative - think up some of your own scenarios, combinations - there is ... - NO REASON TO PLAY HANON MONOTONOUSLY ! ! ! ! :-)
thank you for that sound advice, Robert. one question, though: are 'scale-like figures in the pieces you play the only reason tot practice scales? it seems to me there must be other reasons too -aspecially since scales are mandatory study material in most of our music academies here. tot my knowledge it doesn't happen that often that you find a scale-like figure in a piece - or am I seeing this wrong?
Hi Robert, my first piano teacher liked for me to use the Hanon exercises. I moved and have another teacher who does not like Hanon. Can you tell me why she doesn't like Hanon.
hi Robert - so - I'm very curious !!! I'm thinking that you're playing on a digital instrument. But in the upper registers - starting around 3:19 - the instrument sounds a bit out of tune - what is happening there?
5:35-5:45 Thank you for pointing this out. So I suppose that's why sometimes the same notes one or two octaves apart may need different fingerings (fingers as well as the crossings) because of the angles the hands are placed?
@@JamesZhan nope. vpc1 doesn’t have real grand action. It’s not Avantgrand or novus either as those don’t have real felted hammer. So this looks like a custom-made hybrid using real action taken from a grand piano fitted with sensors at the bottom of key or hammer strike points.
This was a very interesting video. Things I didn’t thought of before, but makes sense when you explain it. Aldo I’m not convinced with this Hanon stuff. I think it’s a waste of time.
Robert, I have heard many different answers but I would like to know what is the true purpose of Hanon? Does Hanon improve site reading in any way? I was once told that it only helps finger dexterity. Please share your thoughts? Thank you
I remember you did a video about key length and touch weight. Does your piano set up there really have shorter keys in the treble and longer in the bass? It certainly looks that way from above. How does that affect weight?
You should learn all the major and minor (harmonic and melodic) scales and arpeggios in 4 octaves. th-cam.com/video/w8xDEzeKxVM/w-d-xo.html&feature=emb_logo
Hanon exercises... there are so many conflicting views on Hanon. For example, Graham Fitch at the Pianist Magazine channel at Steinway says to not bother with Hanon. He has a personal dislike of Hanon exercises and he flat out says to not bother with them.
May I ask approximately how long does it take to be on autopilot for piano scales for a 50 year old beginner assuming one solid hour of piano practice daily which includes 30 of those minutes dedicated daily to scales? I’m thinking 3-5 years minimum to get to that level of playing them on autopilot like Otto from Airplane. Thank You, Sir! 🙂
A great deal depends upon your background with piano and music in general. Also, there is a great deal of variance among people's ability at the piano in various areas. However, if you are ready for scales, it shouldn't take more than a few weeks to develop the ability to play scales without thinking of all the fingering as you are playing because once you play them at any kind of quick tempo, there isn't time to think of the fingering.
@@LivingPianosVideos Hi, Robert. And how much time to speed like you ? I am 47, I play scales for about 4-5 months in all keys, and also in contrary motion (which is quite difficult I must say), and I am absolutly unable to do more than 2 notes per second. It seems I reach an unsurpassable level. It’s demoralizing. Cheers from France. I love your channel.
A few weeks? I started 11 years ago at age 60. I do three scales every day for about 45 minutes total. That’s a major scale and the harmonic and melodic relative minors. I do one hand soft, the other loud; one legato, the other staccato. As far as “autopilot” is concerned, I suppose I have reached that point, but only as it applies to the fingering patterns. One should never play on autopilot. Rather, one should try to make every note beautiful-every scale better than the one before. The ingrained fingering patterns are merely a means to free the mind for more important considerations. The danger with scales and Hanon exercises is that once the student has reached the autopilot stage, he might think “mission accomplished”, when in fact it’s merely the necessary precondition for playing beautifully. You’re lucky you started at age 50.
Best. Thumbnail. Ever.
Scales & Hanon are meditative. Hanon in particular integrates my neurology with the touch of the piano. In 2011 I was 6 months in palliative care. I wasn't expected to survive more than a couple of week max. The meds given also attack the body's longest nerves. I didn't leave my bed for the first 3 months. ...was down to 96 pounds ....FF through 5 years home recovery. I was doing an exercise in change by Louise Hay that involves the clasping of the hands. While doing that I remembered my mother (RN of 40 years) once saying "Nerves reroute themselves given time and use". I couldn't even touch a hard surface without pain. There was no stability of gait to even attempt to play piano ...but I sat down and started the metronome very slow and did FIVE minutes with my left hand (the most damaged side) alternating between a white and black key. I wasn't able to do it in time with a 1/4 note beat set 40 ...my fingers galloped. I kept at it in 5 minute sessions which built up over a year to where I was playing FOUR to SEVEN hours a day & playing better than I ever had before.
As little as 30 minutes of Hanon does something to the neural system. My lucid dreams become radically more frequent and active.
Speaking of touch typing ...when I was doing marathon practice hours I temporarily lost my ability to touch type. The natural striking order for piano playing is different than that for typing. Who knows ...mysteries. Xoxo
Since some teachers will say that Hanon is not necessary, and one should just learn pieces, I was gratified to listen to Mr. Estrin's comments about Hanon, which I spent years playing, from the very beginning of my lessons to today.....glad to learn it was not time wasted! And inspiring me to continue with playing Hanon and scales every day as a "warm up" before tackling actual pieces.
Thanks for putting out all of this information. I'm picking piano back up after a 6 year hiatus and your videos are helping me loads.
@ 3:54 - The scale played at warp speed 9, I watched it a few times. Cool!
set the youtube playback speed to 2x and the playing goes to ludicrous speed.
Straight, clear reasons! It's great to know why scales are important!
I love Major in one hand and Relative Minor in the other. It works lovely but only in similar motion. ❤
You are my absolute favourite.
The overhead view is very helpful. I noticed how your thumb immediately moves inward after striking a key during scales. I've had problems with achieving evenness of tone in my left hand descending scales and I think it's because of a "lazy" thumb. I'll work on preparing my thumb better from this point on.
Thanks for the inspiration, Robert. As someone trying to get back into piano after several decades, remembering the importance of practicing Hanon and your recommendation for 4 rather than 2-octave scales is much appreciated.
Great video Robert! I needed to hear this. I have been practicing an hour a day since March of this year. Primarily focusing on fingering of the major scales. Chords and note reading after that. Working on the scales are almost obsessive for me as well as very relaxing! I think I’m ready to move on to minor scales now. Keep up the encouraging videos!
I’m inspired. I am going to look for the Hanon book at my local music store.
I love your videos. .I’m also a producer and have to say I admire your on-camera and multicam skills.
Thanks Robert 🎉
I always enjoy your videos Robert! And, I practice my Hanon exercises every day. Especially those for the left hand.
Merci beaucoup for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for another great video Robert! As someone who just started out some months ago and is at Hanon's 6th I must say that this is yet another video packed with useful information on do's and dont's. :)
Congratulations 100k subscribers!!
A lot of beginners hate scales and arpeggios, but it is so essential, just like playing to the beat of the metronome. One who plays scales badly and miss the beat wont be regarded as a pianist
Wow! You did this on my birthday. May have to revisit Hanon.
I am getting back into piano after 25+ years and when thinking about pieces with flats or sharps, I play the scales to remind me….
Childhood comes back into play. Lol!
I still have the Hanon book! Lol!
Love the airplane reference in the thumbnail 😂
Thanx, Maestro🌹🌹🌹🌹
Wow. This was impeccable timing. I just ordered a book to drill scales and arpeggios. Now I know the pound away at Hanon first. Well not pound but you know what I mean.
You are right.. some times you get off. though you know a piece, your mind can be disrupted
The thumbnail reference is amazing! Also thanks for the great lesson!
Neat grand action.
After yesterdays lesson, this is the one I needed to see. Awesome. I know the exercises from Thompsons method which I was taught on. I am buying the Hanon method book right away. I wish you were my Teacher years ago. You will be moving forward, thank you.
Wish I had the patience to play Hanon! 3 mins. in and I'm already 🥴
- try playing Hanon in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds - in EVERY KEY - major, melodic, and harmonic minor; for extra fun try playing it in two different keys at the same time - in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds as well; also try contrary motion - LH ascending and RH descending; also try using different rhythms - dotted 1/8 - 1/16th, 1/16th and dotted 1/8th, triplets (o - ooo o - ooo; ooo o - ooo o), with and without accents, etc. etc.
I also like to mix them - one of my favorite combos is (ascending) 1 measure of Hanon #1, then a measure of Hanon #5, next measure #1, then #5 - etc. -- descending start with #5, next measure #1, etc. - again in 10ths, 6ths, and 3rds -
And how about dynamics and articulation - both hands staccato, both legato, one hand staccato and the other one legato, then switch; both hands pianissimo, both hands forte, one hand pianissimo and the other forte (legato/staccato) - then switch; etc. etc. hold the first note while playing the next 7 notes ... be creative - think up some of your own scenarios, combinations - there is ...
- NO REASON TO PLAY HANON MONOTONOUSLY ! ! ! ! :-)
Give Hanon 5-10 minutes and you should be fine!
@@LivingPianosVideos will do. That sounds very manageable!
@@LivingPianosVideos - for sure! :-)
I certainly enjoy and appreciate all that you share with us Robert!
thank you for that sound advice, Robert. one question, though: are 'scale-like figures in the pieces you play the only reason tot practice scales? it seems to me there must be other reasons too -aspecially since scales are mandatory study material in most of our music academies here. tot my knowledge it doesn't happen that often that you find a scale-like figure in a piece - or am I seeing this wrong?
Great positive video, thanks.
Hi Robert, my first piano teacher liked for me to use the Hanon exercises. I moved and have another teacher who does not like Hanon. Can you tell me why she doesn't like Hanon.
hi Robert - so - I'm very curious !!! I'm thinking that you're playing on a digital instrument. But in the upper registers - starting around 3:19 - the instrument sounds a bit out of tune - what is happening there?
Thanx, Maestro. 🌹🌹🌹
Brilliant brilliant video!!
Thank you Sir. It helps!
Very true! And you’re looking very nice in that shirt!
Thank you!
5:35-5:45 Thank you for pointing this out. So I suppose that's why sometimes the same notes one or two octaves apart may need different fingerings (fingers as well as the crossings) because of the angles the hands are placed?
Fingering does not change within the same scale. It is a pattern that is repeated in all the octaves.
What kind of keyboard are you using in the video? I’m thinking Kawai with the wooden hammers? Thanks for your time.
When will we get a video about the piano gizmo you play on? It looks very interesting!
My guess is it's a piano action removed from the case & with a MIDI system retrofitted. But either way it's cool and I'd also enjoy a video.
It looks like the Kawai VPC1 with the casing removed.
@@JamesZhan nope. vpc1 doesn’t have real grand action. It’s not Avantgrand or novus either as those don’t have real felted hammer. So this looks like a custom-made hybrid using real action taken from a grand piano fitted with sensors at the bottom of key or hammer strike points.
@@JamesZhan No, Kawai VPC1 has Grand Feel Compact action, not even close to the real acoustic action shown in this video.
This was a very interesting video. Things I didn’t thought of before, but makes sense when you explain it. Aldo I’m not convinced with this Hanon stuff. I think it’s a waste of time.
My teacher told me to learn scales by blocking out the three/four finger patterns up and down the keyboard hands separately. It works wonders.
What about practicing scales by directly learning to play, say K545, etc., instead of first practicing Hanon, which is really boring?
Robert, I have heard many different answers but I would like to know what is the true purpose of Hanon? Does Hanon improve site reading in any way? I was once told that it only helps finger dexterity. Please share your thoughts? Thank you
How do I get a piano like that?
And how often and for how long each day did you practice to get there.
One of the great YT thumbnails 😆
If I promise to practice my scales, will you tell us about the keyboard you are playing here? I think I need one of those.
I remember you did a video about key length and touch weight. Does your piano set up there really have shorter keys in the treble and longer in the bass? It certainly looks that way from above. How does that affect weight?
I like this guy...funny and true
Hah! It's the autopilot from Airplane!
How long did it take you to play your scales with ease and speed
I have the first 10 exercises of Hanon memorized lol
Do you have the video about how many scale we should learn?
You should learn all the major and minor (harmonic and melodic) scales and arpeggios in 4 octaves. th-cam.com/video/w8xDEzeKxVM/w-d-xo.html&feature=emb_logo
@@LivingPianosVideos thank you a lot!
How do I learn the 3435 5343 fingering and play them at the same time? I can do each hand separately, but together it gets mixed up most of the time.
I finally got it.
@@donnaleflore94 great donna
Is being a concert pianist a livable solo career? If so, how much does it pay?
Hanon exercises... there are so many conflicting views on Hanon. For example, Graham Fitch at the Pianist Magazine channel at Steinway says to not bother with Hanon. He has a personal dislike of Hanon exercises and he flat out says to not bother with them.
4:51 Pretty sure anyone with rehabilitation in regaining the strength in waking can imagine.
I've been playing a long time but I'm still bad at playing scales with both hands together hah. It's tough
the thumbnail tho
👍...............❤️
Younger people are not going to understand the inflatable pilot playing the piano!
I practice Hanon three ways: fast, medium, and sluggish like a wet sponge.
I was in the middle of a Chopin piece and somehow Stravinsky snuck his way in there. Bad Stravinsky, bad.
What's worse is people who tell you to work out scales by ttsttts ... Who has the time or brain power for that in the middle of a piece?
May I ask approximately how long does it take to be on autopilot for piano scales for a 50 year old beginner assuming one solid hour of piano practice daily which includes 30 of those minutes dedicated daily to scales?
I’m thinking 3-5 years minimum to get to that level of playing them on autopilot like Otto from Airplane. Thank You, Sir! 🙂
A great deal depends upon your background with piano and music in general. Also, there is a great deal of variance among people's ability at the piano in various areas. However, if you are ready for scales, it shouldn't take more than a few weeks to develop the ability to play scales without thinking of all the fingering as you are playing because once you play them at any kind of quick tempo, there isn't time to think of the fingering.
@@LivingPianosVideos Hi, Robert. And how much time to speed like you ? I am 47, I play scales for about 4-5 months in all keys, and also in contrary motion (which is quite difficult I must say), and I am absolutly unable to do more than 2 notes per second. It seems I reach an unsurpassable level. It’s demoralizing. Cheers from France. I love your channel.
A few weeks? I started 11 years ago at age 60. I do three scales every day for about 45 minutes total. That’s a major scale and the harmonic and melodic relative minors. I do one hand soft, the other loud; one legato, the other staccato. As far as “autopilot” is concerned, I suppose I have reached that point, but only as it applies to the fingering patterns. One should never play on autopilot. Rather, one should try to make every note beautiful-every scale better than the one before. The ingrained fingering patterns are merely a means to free the mind for more important considerations. The danger with scales and Hanon exercises is that once the student has reached the autopilot stage, he might think “mission accomplished”, when in fact it’s merely the necessary precondition for playing beautifully. You’re lucky you started at age 50.
Why is this not a science video explaining how he has made his piano 95% invisible?
This early and already a dislike, damn
Was it you? 😂
@@tjpj111 no, why would I dislike it?
Someone stole the rest of your piano....