Here is a technical exercise that is a bit difficult to master at first, but which can become quite a nice warm-up or relaxation exercise. It develops and maintains good coordination of all fingers. Since there is only one possible fingering, it forces you to get into the habit of using the 4th and 5th fingers, which we sometimes neglect or avoid.

It involves successively ascending and descending the triads of all degrees of a given key, always over at least two octaves to go through all possibilities.

Example in E major

You can start with one hand at a time, then both hands in unison, then by inverting (one hand going up and one hand going down the first triad), then any other variation that inspires you.

Remarks

– Perhaps counter-intuitively, keys with several accidentals, such as E major or A-flat major, are more ergonomic and faster to memorize and automate than keys with few or no accidentals, such as C or G major. This remark also applies to scales, with the middle fingers (2, 3, 4) leaving more room for the thumb to pass. So let's not be afraid of these sharps and flats in the key signature, nor of all these black keys.

– The 5th fingers of both hands are less muscular and less agile when you're not used to it, and yet they are often called upon for significant notes, such as strong deep bass notes, or small high notes with subtle nuances at the end of a phrase. Even more than with the other fingers, you need to take the time to understand and especially to feel that they complete a movement of the arm and wrist. You should not hope to make them more muscular in themselves, but find and develop effective micro-movements.

– As always, you must start slowly. Very slowly. Even slower than that. And you must aim for a rhythmically regular execution, without tension.

– It is out of the question to damage your fingers, so if it hurts, stop immediately and take a break. It's not by forcing that it works, but by making the hands and body more supple, by finding a good general position and by integrating the micro-movements one by one. It doesn't happen in a weekend, it happens by working regularly. And besides, often you don't realize that you're making progress.

– Good practice and good piano playing, it's hard, long and sometimes thankless, but it's great!

originally published in VIVA LA MUSICA, December 2025, Geneva

♡ ☆ ♡