Developing the Left Hand

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Introduction

Do you feel that your left hand is weaker than your right hand, and is holding you back in your piano playing? We all have a dominant hand, and for most of us it is the right hand. However, research has shown that even in left handed players, the right hand still shows a higher level of motor control. In these videos, I provide a walk-through of selected exercises and studies from Berens's The Training of the Left Hand (Op. 89), showing you how they can be used to develop left hand technique.

As with any exercises or studies, it’s how we do them that matters. The walk-throughs focus on playing using coordinated movements of the fingers, hand and arm so that we avoid tension and injury. It’s also important not to overdo this type of technical work, but to use exercises and studies for specific purposes when they are helpful as part of a balanced regime of activities at the piano.

Resources & links Click here for open domain editions of The Training of the Left Hand (external link). Click here for information an online workshop exploring exercises, studies, repertoire and practice techniques for improving left hand skills.

JS Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major Arrangement for the Left Hand As part of a collection of resources we're publishing for developing the left hand, we've created a lightly edited version of Bach's magnificent Cello Suite No. 1 in G major as supplementary material. This edition gives a pianist the opportunity to familiarise themselves with this great work of art while developing their left hand technique. This study edition is available with as part of our Annotated Study Editions bundle or with an annual subscription to the Practising the Piano Online Academy. Please click here to view in your library or to purchase from our store.