Alfred's Adult Piano Lesson 1
Level 1 - Preliminary Exercises
Alfred's Adult Piano Lesson 1 is a free piano tutorial for students using the Alfred's Adult All-In-One Course. You are welcome to print it out for your personal use!
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Congratulations...
...on making the decision to learn to play piano! Whether you're learning on your own or with a piano teacher, I hope these tutorials will help you clearly understand the lesson material and progress smoothly through the books.
Preliminary Exercises
Pages 4-5
You may find yourself wanting to skip over these pages and go straight for the first musical instruction a few pages later. Please don't! Read these introductory pages thoroughly.
Playing piano is a repetitive exercise, and you want to not only protect your hands and wrists from injury, but also give yourself the best chance of success. Warm, stretched hands simply make playing easier.
Warm hands make a difference!
Have you noticed how much more difficult it is to write or type when your hands are cold? It's the same with piano! So make it a habit to wash your hands in warm water before playing. You'll keep your piano clean and warm up your hands!
Also, wash your hands after your lesson with a teacher, if you have one. Studio doorknobs, benches, and piano keys have been touched by lots of hands!
Alfred's Adult Piano Lesson 1
Exercises No. 1 & 2
These are excellent exercises. Even with the funny wording: "Do this with great vigor." :-) There's only one thing I would add:
When you snap your fingers open, add a good stretch. Stretch open your fingers as wide as you can. Then close them into fists again.
I'd recommend doing these exercises 3-4 times each, alternating between palms facing up and palms facing down. You'll increase circulation to your hands, and stretch and shake out any tension in your hands and arms.
Alfred's Adult Piano Lesson 1
Exercises No. 3 & 4: Deep Breathing
Deep breathing can help the rest of your body relax, and it's also useful for letting go of all those other thoughts running through your head (the grocery list, the funny noise the car is making, tomorrow's big meeting...)
It's good to breathe deeply during the hand exercises. But I would add that it's helpful to just sit with your eyes closed and breathe deeply, focusing on enjoying your practice, allowing yourself to learn without hurry, and not being upset about mistakes.
Many of my adult students try so hard to play perfectly -- even without realizing it. But hear this: perfection isn't the goal. Progress is. So allow yourself to be a learner, not a perfectionist.
Repeat the mantra: Progress, not perfection.
More piano warm-up tips
I would also add some full body stretching before your practice, like I talk about on my piano practice tips page.
Do some shoulder and neck rolls to loosen your upper body. Add in some gentle twists if you're able to. I also like to bend over and "hang" my upper body, which stretches the hamstrings and relaxes your spine for a few seconds.
Of course, these stretching suggestions depend on your physical abilities. Don't do anything that hurts!
Stretch as your body will allow, get loose and relaxed, and your practicing will be much more enjoyable... make a habit of it!
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