Benefits of Hanon

In our school, we start using Hanon as a teaching material when students reach the first grade of elementary school. First, we study numbers 1 to 31 in order, and by learning these numbers in the correct way, many wonderful benefits can be obtained. For example,

① Each finger becomes independent and stronger

② Learn how to relax and develop a sense of rhythm

③ Be able to freely use the black and white keys

And more.

This time I will write a little about ①.

When you first start learning Hanon, we have you play No. 1 slowly, one hand at a time, while we explain how to play it. There are many things to be careful of, such as the shape of your hands and fingers, how to raise and lower your fingers, and how to use your wrist, so we shorten the practice to one octave until you get used to it. Over the course of two to three weeks, we will gradually move on to practicing with both hands, and then to two octaves, gradually speeding up the tempo.

At the same time, we also practice staccato playing. Paying attention to the height of the wrist and the use of the fingertips, we practice playing short, sharp notes without using unnecessary force.

We encourage families to spend 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of their daily practice at home.

Students who have accumulated this kind of steady basic practice are able to produce a solid, quality sound after about a year, which is a dramatic transformation.