Rocket piano fingering v1.2
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This document is an excerpt from a book that provides piano exercises and techniques. It includes 14 exercises to improve finger speed, accuracy, and independence. The exercises start slowly and increase in speed, and are designed to strengthen both hands equally. Completing the exercises daily will improve the reader's piano playing abilities over time.
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Rocket piano fingering v1.2
- 2. Copyright © 2005 Rock Star Recipes Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Acknowledgments. The Rocket Piano series was created on behalf of Rock Star Recipes LTD. Author & Music: Asheigh Southam. Edit & Graphic Design: Unica Design LTD Multimedia Content: Rock Star Recipes Studios Publisher: Rock Star Recipes LTD
- 3. Page Fingering techniques and warm ups This book has been designed to develop and increase accuracy and finger speed. One of the most important aspects of playing the piano is getting the correct fingering. Having agile and fast fingers for playing the piano is essential for any pianist whether they are a beginner or a virtuoso. This book is therefore useful for any pianist at any level. Before practicing it is a good idea to warm your fingers up. When you first sit down at the piano your fingers might feel a little clumsy or stiff. These exercises are perfect for getting your fingers limber and ready to play. These exercises have been developed to gain finger independence. This means that each finger can work independently of the next so you get more control over each separate finger. It is also designed to exercise the wrists and help them gain flexibility. Generally what happens is if you are right handed you will find that your right hand is naturally faster than your left. It is important to develop equal speed in both hands, to become a competent pianist. These exercises are designed to be played by both hands at equal speeds. That way your left hand will get as fast as your right. Many complicated songs have intricate and difficult parts for the left hand. So agility, speed and strength are important in both hands. Like any good exercise the drills in this book are repetitive. This is so that after a few patterns you should be able to continue the rest of the exercise without having to follow every note. The same patterns are just repeated on each note of the scale. You should find the patterns very easy if you follow the system laid out in this book.
- 4. Page Thisbookwillincreaseyourabilitiesasapianistandwillhaveyouplayinglikeaprofessional. These exercises should be played daily to get the full effect. In next to no time you will notice the improvements in your playing. There are 14 exercises in total. The metronome mark: = 54 - 110 This means that you start playing the exercise at “54” the first time around then gradually increase the speed up to “110” when you get better at playing it. All of the exercises are designed so that you start slow and speed up as your fingers become faster and adapt to the patterns. I’ve also included the Rocket Piano Progress Tracker so that you have a checklist of all the techniques you can expect to learn in the course. Once you have mastered a lesson or skill tick it off on the Progress Tracker, and move on to the next lesson! Commit yourself to ticking off the skills you learn as you go and see your improvement instantly! q 54Hear a personal message from Ruth! Ruth
- 5. Page Every time you see this button, play the relevant track! 01 01 Every time you see this button, play the relevant video! Table Of Contents Fingering techniques and warm ups...................3 Rocket Piano Progress Tracker...........................6 Exercise one .......................................................7 Exercise two........................................................9 Exercise three...................................................11 Exercise four.....................................................13 Exercise five......................................................16 More about the exercises..................................19 Exercise six.......................................................20 Exercise seven..................................................24 Exercise eight....................................................28 Exercise nine.....................................................31 Exercise ten.......................................................34 Exercise eleven.................................................36 Exercise twelve.................................................40 Exercise thirteen................................................41 Exercise fourteen..............................................43 Conclusion.........................................................45
- 6. Page Lesson or Skill Page # Date Signature Exercise the 4th and 5th fingers .......... ......... ................... Exercise the 3rd and 4th fingers .......... ......... ................... Stretch fingers across octaves .......... ......... ................... The C (common) time signature (4/4) .......... ......... ................... ¾ time signatures .......... ......... ................... The ‘thumb under 3 finger’ technique .......... ......... ................... 8th note triplets .......... ......... ................... Fingers 1, 2, 3 in both hands .......... ......... ................... Trills .......... ......... ................... 8va – an octave higher .......... ......... ................... 3rd intervals .......... ......... ................... Fingers 2 4 in both hands .......... ......... ................... Rocket Piano ProgressTracker
- 7. Page 24 24 q = 54 - 110 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 5 6 1 1 1 2 5 5 5 4 11 1 2 1 1 2 1 5 Descending 4 3 2 1 5 4 5 5 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 16 5 5 1 1 21 Exercise one This exercise stretches the 4th and 5th fingers of the left hand when ascending and the 4th and 5th fingers of the right hand when descending. 01
- 8. Page 11 1 2 1 1 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 5 5 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 16 5 5 1 1 21 26 5 4 3 2 1 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 2 5
- 9. Page Exercise two 02 24 24 q = 60 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 3 1 1 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 4 5 5 5 1 2 3 5 4 3 9 13 1 2 3 5 descending 3 4 2 3 1 2 3 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 3 5 4 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 3
- 10. Page 10 17 5 5 1 1 21 25 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 3 5 5 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 3 1 1 3 29 5 3 1 1 3 1
- 11. Page 11 24 24 q = 54 - 110 6 11 descending 16 21 Exercise three This exercise is designed to work the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers on the left and right hands. Ascending.............L.H fingers 3, 4 R.H fingers 2, 3 Descending...........L.H fingers 2, 3 R.H fingers 3, 4 03
- 12. Page 12 16 21 26
- 13. Page 13 24 24 q = 54 - 110 1 2 3 5 4 3 4 2 1 2 3 5 4 3 4 2 1 5 4 2 1 2 3 2 4 5 4 2 1 2 3 2 4 5 5 1 5 9 13 1 1 5 descending 3 2 1 4 3 4 2 5 5 1 2 3 5 2 3 2 4 17 5 3 2 1 4 3 4 2 5 1 2 3 5 2 3 2 4 1 Exercise four This next exercise is quite difficult so take your time and be patient! This exercise is used to stretch each of the fingers across the octaves. 04
- 14. Page 14 13 5 5 1 2 3 5 2 3 2 4 17 5 3 2 1 4 3 4 2 5 1 2 3 5 2 3 2 4 1 21 5 1 25 5 1 29 1 5
- 15. Page 15 Next exercises The next exercises are slightly longer and a little more tricky. These exercises are designed to work each individual finger. Some of the next exercises are also in otherwise known as common time. This can also be indicated by a appearing in the place where the time signature usually goes. This now means that the patterns that are within each exercise now have more notes within each loop. So the looped pattern is larger. This will become more clear when you practice the exercises. c 44 Keep up the good work! Its difficult I know but you’ll be playing like a professional in no time!!
- 16. Page 16 44 44 q = 54 - 110 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 5 3 5 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 1 5 1 5 5 1 7 1 3 2 1 2 5 5 3 4 5 4 1 9 Exercise five This next exercise is in . The previous exercises have all been in 4 4 2 4 05
- 17. Page 17 5 1 7 1 3 2 1 2 5 5 3 4 5 4 1 9 11 13 15 1 3 2 1 2 5 5 3 4 5 4 1 17 descending 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 1 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 5 19 1 Exercise five continued
- 18. Page 18 5 3 4 5 4 1 17 descending 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 1 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 5 19 21 5 3 4 5 4 1 1 3 2 1 2 5 23 Exercise five continued 25 5 3 4 5 4 1 1 3 2 1 2 5 27 29
- 19. Page 19 Exercise five continued 1 3 2 1 2 5 27 29 31 5 3 4 5 4 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 5 5 More about the exercises Because the exercises are now mostly in the patterns are becoming more intricate. So there is a lot of notes to study and learn in each bar. This will take time but it is extremely valuable to your playing. 4 4
- 20. Page 20 44 44 q = 54 - 110 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 2 1 2 3 1 5 4 5 4 3 4 5 2 3 1 5 3 2 1 3 4 3 2 4 5 4 3 5 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 4 3 5 1 3 5 7 3 4 5 2 3 1 5 3 2 1 4 3 5 1 9 Exercise six This exercise is quite hard so take as long as you need to get comfortable. 06
- 21. Page 21 7 3 4 5 2 3 1 5 3 2 1 4 3 5 1 9 11 Exercise six continued 13 15 3 4 5 2 3 1 5 5 descending 3 4 5 4 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 2 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 5 4 5 17 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 19 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1
- 22. Page 22 3 2 1 4 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 2 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 5 4 5 17 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 19 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 21 23 25 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 27 Exercise six continued
- 23. Page 23 Exercise six continued 25 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 27 29 31 5 3 4 4 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 4 3 5 4 5 4
- 24. Page 24 44 44 q = 54 - 110 1 3 2 3 1 3 2 3 1 5 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 3 4 5 3 4 3 5 3 4 3 4 1 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 3 2 3 5 7 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 9 Exercise seven 07 55
- 25. Page 25 7 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 9 11 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 Exercise seven continued 13 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 15 5 descending 3 4 3 5 3 4 3 5 1 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 3 1 3 2 3 1 5 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 17 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 19 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1
- 26. Page 26 Exercise seven continued 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 15 5 descending 3 4 3 5 3 4 3 5 1 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 3 1 3 2 3 1 5 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 17 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 19 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 21 23 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 5
- 27. Page 27 25 27 29 5 3 4 5 3 5 1 3 2 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 1 5 3 4 3 4 Exercise seven continued
- 28. Page 28 34 34 q = 54 - 110 1 5 4 5 3 5 2 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 4 3 5 1 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 2 3 1 5 5 1 2 3 1 5 4 7 10 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 1 2 3 1 5 13 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 descending 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 5 1 Exercise eight This exercise uses time signature. This one is my favourite. 3 4 08
- 29. Page 29 10 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 1 2 3 1 5 13 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 descending 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 2 3 1 5 1 5 4 5 3 5 2 5 1 5 1 5 Exercise eight continued 16 5 1 2 3 1 5 1 5 4 3 5 1 19 5 1 2 3 1 5 1 5 4 3 5 1 22 25 1
- 30. Page 30 Exercise eight continued 22 25 28 5 1 2 3 1 5 1 1 2 1 5 4 3 5 1 5 5 4
- 31. Page 31 34 34 q = 54 - 110 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 4 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 7 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 10 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 descending 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 13 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 Exercise nine This exercise is designed to work on the ‘thumb under the 3 finger’ technique. This technique is very important when playing scales. In some pieces it is important to reposition the hand so it can reach the extra notes. Remember to keep your hand nice and loose and high. This will help with getting the thumb under. If you keep your wrist nice and relaxed this will also help when the 3 finger goes over. 09 56
- 32. Page 32 10 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 descending 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 13 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 16 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 19 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 1 Exercise nine continued
- 33. Page 33 Eighth note triplets occur when there are three eighth notes played in the time of two eighth notes, or one quarter note. To do this you spread the playing of the three eighth notes evenly across the time you would normally play a quarter note. When eighth note triplets are written, a little number 3 appears above or below the group of notes. 3 3 Triplet sign. Three eighth note triplets equal one quarter note, OR two 8th notes 3 3 iiq = q OR 3 3 iiq = iq So when counting eighth note triplets you can count: one-and-then, two-and-then, three-and-then, four-and-then 3 3 iiq 3 3 iiq 3 3 iiq 3 3 iiq qq q 4 4 q 3 3 iiq qq 3 3 iiq one-and-then two-and-then three-and-then four-and-then one two three four one-and-then two three-and-then four Clap the beats and count aloud the rhythm. Eighth note triplets The next exercise uses eighth note triplets so before you play that exercise we will briefly look at what eighth note triplets are. 57
- 34. Page 34 Exercise ten This next exercise is designed to get the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers working on both hands. It has the three fingers playing the same note. This kind of close fingering is useful for when the hand has to shift positions smoothly. It is also good for increasing the speed and strength of the three fingers. 44 44 q = 54 - 110 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 descending 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 10 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 10
- 35. Page 35 Exercise ten continued 7 3 3 3 3 descending 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 10 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
- 36. Page 36 44 44 q = 54 - 110 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 2 5 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 7 4 3 4 5 2 3 2 1 9 1 2 3 2 Exercise eleven A trill is when two notes next to each other are played in rapid succession. They are either a tone or a semitone apart. A trill is played very fast so its important to get the fingers used to this kind of quick playing between one finger and the finger next to it. This exercise will help your fingers get used to playing the trill. 11
- 37. Page 37 4 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 7 4 3 4 5 2 3 2 1 9 1 2 3 2 5 4 3 4 11 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 2 Exercise eleven continued 13 2 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 15 4 3 4 5 2 3 2 1 17 descending 4 3 2 3 2 3 4 3 19 2 1 5 4 1
- 38. Page 38 Exercise eleven continued 17 descending 4 3 2 3 2 3 4 3 19 2 1 5 4 4 5 1 2 21 3 4 3 2 3 2 3 4 23 1 2 4 5 5 4 2 1 25 4 3 2 3 2 3 4 3 27 2 1 5 4 4 5 1 2
- 39. Page 39 Exercise eleven continued 2 3 4 3 27 2 1 5 4 4 5 1 2 29 3 4 3 2 3 2 3 4 31 1 2 2 5 4 4
- 40. Page 40 Exercise twelve This exercise is in common time. That means its in . It’s quite a stretch so take your time. Also note that the piece goes quite high. Remember that 8va means you play the notes one octave higher than what is written. 4 4 12 1 4 2 5 1 4 2 5 5 2 4 1 5 2 4 1 3 1 4 2 4 5 4 2 1 5 2 4 2 1 2 4 5 5 5 2 4 1 5 2 4 1 1 4 2 5 1 4 2 5 7 5 3 2 3 1 1 3 5 4 5
- 41. Page 41 c c q = 48 - 90 3 1 4 2 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 1 4 2 5 3 4 2 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 5 2 4 1 3 2 4 3 5 3 5 2 4 1 3 2 4 3 5 3 5 3 5 3 3 1 3 1 3 5 3 5 5 7 descending 5 3 4 2 3 1 4 2 5 3 5 3 5 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 2 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 9 5 3 1 3 Exercise thirteen Note the change in the metronome speed. This is because this exercise should be played slightly slower. Take your time and be patient. This exercise is important because as you can see it is a study of playing 3rds. Thirds are used commonly throughout all kinds of music and this exercise is arranged to practice playing them smoothly so that they are linked. 13
- 42. Page 42 Exercise thirteen continued 7 descending 5 3 4 2 3 1 4 2 5 3 5 3 5 3 1 3 2 4 3 5 2 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 9 5 3 1 3 11 5 3 3 1 1 3 3 5
- 43. Page 43 c c q = 54 - 110 5 1 3 2 5 1 4 2 5 1 4 2 3 5 1 4 2 5 5 1 descending 4 2 5 1 4 2 7 Exercise fourteen This is the last exercise for this book. This exercise works the 2nd and 4th fingers on both hands. Try and hold the octave down and play the notes using the 2nd and 4th fingers. 14
- 44. Page 44 Exercise fourteen continued 5 5 1 4 2 5 1 4 2 7 8 You’re doing really well! These exercises are very hard, especially to play fast! But after you have practised them several times your hands will get noticeably quicker! Your fingers will be whizzing up and down the piano!
- 45. Page 45 Conclusion You’ve done it! You have completed the Rocket Piano Finger Techniques and Exercises. Just think how fast your fingers can go now! You’re on your way to becoming a great musician ... all you need is more practice! Ruth If you haven’t already, go on to the Rocket Introduction to Gospel Piano book or the Introduction to Jazz Piano book and keep up the learning!