Static and Dynamic Exercises

Basic Static and Dynamic exercises for piano practice are presented below, in the key of C major, using the first 5 keys of the scale.

 
All of them can be reversed (as in Exercise 2) by playing them from the top of the scale and playing the left hand fingering with the right hand or vice versa.

There are too many possible variations to present here; these are only a ‘sample’ of some of my most commonly set basic daily practice exercises.

These are not all meant to be practiced every day, but the static exercises should eventually be practiced in all the major and minor scales and the dynamic exercises should regularly be started on keys other than C.

Exercise 1
‘Walking Fingers’ is a very basic finger development exercise, suitable for beginners of any age. It is played with a ‘see-saw’ finger action with the aim of developing an equal tone and smooth legato.

Exercise 2
The exercise can be practiced in a reverse direction, using the last or top five keys of the C major scale.

Exercise 3
This is a variant of the above exercise in which each pair of fingers changes direction.

Exercise 4
This fragment shows the last two bars of the above exercise and the transition to the key of C sharp major. This is now a dynamic finger exercise, moving up by semitone (half-step) to the next scale with no stopping until the next C major position is reached.

Exercise 5
A variant of exercise 3, starting on the upper key/finger of the first note pair.

Exercise 6
This fragment shows the transition from C major to D flat major (enharmonic of C sharp major), thereby becoming a dynamic exercise.

Exercise 7
A rhythmic variant of exercise 3, useful for monitoring the development of your finger speed and agility. Try increasing speed (while maintaining strict rhythmic accuracy)to a point where fingers lose control. Over time, your speed ‘ceiling’ will increase.

Exercise 8
A fragment showing the transition of exercise 7 into the C sharp major scale. A dynamic variant.

Exercise 9
This is another variant of exercise 3 using the diminished 7th chord. This is a far more advanced exercise and not recommended for hands which are not sufficiently developed.
Sufficient development involves the hands being large enough, the lateral finger extension capacity being well exercised and physical stamina of the playing mechanism being established.

Exercise 10
Same rhythmic variant as exercise 7 applied to the diminished 7th chord moving dynamically to the next chord a semitone higher.