{"id":4579,"date":"2021-08-06T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=4579"},"modified":"2023-01-13T16:12:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T00:12:48","slug":"hand-independence-in-5-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/hand-independence-in-5-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Hand Independence in 5 Days"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hand independence can be one of the most frustrating things for beginner and experienced pianists alike. This lesson is a step-by-step, day-by-day approach to attain solid hand independence in five days. So, stretch those hands, prepare to be challenged, and let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1: Waltz With Two Hands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We’ll start off easy on our first day \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our left hand, we’ll play a waltz rhythm on four chords: C-G-Am-F. (You might recognize this as the classic 1-5-6-4 progression<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our right hand, we’ll play the outer “shell” of these chords. In other words, a fifth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start slow at first, then gradually build up speed. You want to be comfortable enough to play and have a conversation at the same time. (Harder than it sounds!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: Waltz With Five-Finger Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find that when you’re learning something new, sleeping on it does wonders. So, get a good night’s sleep and then get ready to tackle Day 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we’ll add a five-finger scale to our right hand that complements each chord. The scale will be four eighth notes followed by a quarter note. You can count 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + to keep yourself on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This exercise will get you used to playing with a different rhythm in each hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3: Role Switch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Day 3 is when things start to get tricky!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we’ll switch the roles of our hands. This means, our right hand will play the waltz rhythm while our left hand plays the chord shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remember: if you mess up and things feel difficult, this means you’re learning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4: More Complexity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now let’s take things to next level. Day 4 will be playing the waltz rhythm on your right hand and the eighth note pattern on your left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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