I would argue that learning challenging spots with static tension in the hand/arm and by using too much force is not desirable, and even dangerous, especially when you practice the weaker hand. My approach is to rather improve coordination, dexterity, and to learn how to use gravity together with stabilization of knuckle bridge and nail joints, in order to make your playing feel very strong, but natural at the same time.
Want to build a solid and safe piano technique, avoid bad habits, and improve your musicality? Check out my comprehensive courses:
𝗖𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘆 𝗘𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽. 𝟮𝟵𝟵 course: bit.ly/Czerny299
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To 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻-𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻: deniszhdanov.com/lessons
00:00 Why a crude force and strength approach is dangerous
00:52 An Alternative Approach: a better motion coordination
01:15 Example 1: Czerny op.299 No. 34
05:20 Example 2: Czerny op. 229 No. 7
08:48 Thumb Issue
10:17 Example 3: Beethoven Sonata op. 49 No. 2
11:30 Scales Tip (more on scales here: • Everyone Can Play Scal... )
11:53 An exclusive tip: Mirrored Practicing. For a reason explained here you might also start practicing scales in opposite motion first, both hands start from the center in opposite directions and back.
Here is a small list of studies dedicated to the left hand. You can get most of them for free on imslp.org. Please remember to focus on coordination and dexterity rather than force, and plan well the spots where you would release tension. For this, you break longer patterns into shorter sections as demonstrated in video, and first would learn them by making gaps between group of notes with immediate finger release between groups. Diminish gaps gradually, but maintain a sensation of release in such spots even when not making breaks anymore.
Please share with me and others your own favorite left hand focused pieces in comments!
Beginners:
Czerny-Hermer 50 Little Studies: Nos.2, 4, 6, 8, 16 etc.
Czerny op.139 Nos. 6 (holding long notes without tension in other fingers), 9 (forearm rotation, “walking” sensation), 12-14 (quick weight transfer, don’t get stuck in the 5th finger), 25&29 (check out my video on alberti basses), 45 (same pattern as in Beethoven explained in video)
Burgmüller op.100 Nos. 1, 2, 6, 11, 12, 16, 20
Hanon Exercises (check out my course for efficiency tips there: bit.ly/ManyPianoTips)
Streabbog op.63 no.2,4,7,9
Intermediate/early advanced:
Lemoine op.37 Nos. 2,3,5,8,37
Bertini op.29: Nos. 2, 5, 10, 14, 22 (check out also my course on 4 etudes from this book:
Burgmüller op.109 Nos. 8, 14.
Moszkowski op.91 No.1,3,4,5,6,16,17
Grieg op.12 No.7&12; op.62 no.4
Czerny op.299 Nos. 2, 7, 10, 12, 18, 20, 22 (rare example of repeated notes in the left hand), 25, 32 (smooth transfer between hands), 34, 36 (a great opportunity to apply a mirrored practicing explained in video)
Brahms 51 Exercises (many of them feature mirrored practicing, like Nos. 9, 11, 15, 21, 23, etc.)
Lisz Etude en 12 Exercises s.136 Nos.4(thirds), 6 (leaps), 7(legato),8(scales), 10,11,12
Mendelssohn op.30 No.1,5,6, op.62 No.1,5
Loeschhorn op.52 no.12,13,19
Advanced:
Czerny op.692 (beautiful studies nobody plays) No.2, 6, 8, 12, 13, 19, 20 (especially this one recommande sincèrement 😉)
Czerny Toccata op.92
Mendelssohn Album-Blatt op.117
Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor
Reger 4 special studies for the left hand
Obviously, Chopin & Liszt Etudes, too famous to list here.
Moszkowski op.97, nearly every one keeps your lect hand busy.
Left-Hand alone: Bortkiewicz op.29 No.5, op.65 No.3; Blumenfeld op.36, Bartok Four Piano Pieces - Study for the left hand
Hamelin Etude No.7 for left hand alone
Godowsky Suite for the Left Hand alone
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