Three-Dimensional Hanon (5.3)

Hanon Exercise No. 1

• The first Hanon exercise utilises the Basic Three-Dimensional Form in parallel motion.
• It is helpful to practise hands alone, however, note that the supporting arcs–counterclockwise in the right hand/clockwise in the left hand–are opposite. That means that when we play parallel passages, the three-dimensional supporting movements are not mirrored, and require heightened care and coordination.

Hanon Exercise No. 5

• Unlike Hanon Exercise No. 1, Exercise No. 5 presents us with an asymmetrical division of three-dimensional movement of its 8 notes.
• In the right hand, ascending, after the initial leap of a sixth, the figure descends over the remaining notes, necessitating a gradual “over and in" shape for all notes except the initial leap.
• To practise this figure, reduce it to its “skeleton" – that is, just the descending seconds – as demonstrated in the video. First, sense the three-dimensional shaping of the simplified figure; then play the exercise as written by activating the fingers from the large knuckles while maintaining the same integrated movement and shaping of forearm and upper arm.
• Alternate between playing the skeletal outline and all written notes. This exercise is highly therapeutic for refining three-dimensional movement in your playing.
• Apply the same steps, above, to:
  1. the descending figure in the right hand [predominantly using “under and out" shaping],
  2. the ascending figure in the left hand [“under and out"] and
  3. the descending figure in the left hand [“over and in"].