{"id":209,"date":"2019-09-17T06:45:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T13:45:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-13T13:57:50","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T21:57:50","slug":"master-the-thumb-tuck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/master-the-thumb-tuck\/","title":{"rendered":"Play The Piano FASTER!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you want to get faster at playing scales and runs – this is the lesson for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What usually happens is the thumb tuck slows us down. It takes time to get the thumb underneath and reset the hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I have an exercise you can practice to get much more comfortable with the thumb tuck, which will allow you to play much faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thumb Tuck Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Play the C major scale using ONLY your thumb and index finger. So you\u2019ll have to be tucking your thumb under constantly to move up the scale.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Easy right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udfb9 Faster Fingers \ud83d\udca8<\/b><\/h3>

Everyone wants to play fast.<\/p>

Being a speed demon on the piano dazzles and impresses. And it’s really<\/i> fun! But while playing fast can look<\/i> difficult, it’s absolutely doable if you know the right techniques and exercises. Introducing: Faster Fingers<\/a>, a 30-lesson course pack to get you there. Free with your Pianote membership!<\/p>

START PLAYING FAST<\/a>

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Making It Harder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, play the same scale but using your thumb and 3 finger (middle finger).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is more challenging, and you might find your elbow will want to fly out away from your body, like a wing. Try to avoid this, and keep your elbow stable and close to your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start slow and work on building up your speed, while maintaining control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve done that, use your thumb and 4 finger.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Adding Sharps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once it\u2019s easy in the key of C major, it\u2019s time to start adding in some black keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exercise will feel really awkward — and it\u2019s supposed to be. Tucking your thumb under to play a black key is not something you\u2019ll ever really have to do in a real piece of music. But it will help you get comfortable tucking your thumb under your fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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If you can do this, then playing a \u2018normal\u2019 scale will be super easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t neglect the left hand!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t leave your left hand behind. Make sure to practice these exercises with BOTH hands. I have a lot of students who complain that their left hand is not as good as their right, but they don\u2019t practice both equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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