5 Levels of Hand Independence for Piano EasyPianoHacks

How to develop Hand Independence for the piano 🎹👌 This is a common question and with some practice - it's an easy fix.

Here are 5 exercises to help you play different things in the RH and LH. 

Start with a simple 5 note scale - C D E F G F E D C



Level 1: 

Both LH and RH play up and down, quarter notes while you count



Level 2: 

RH plays 1/8th notes while the LH plays quarter notes. 

RH - C D E F G F E D C D E F G F E D C
LH -  C    D    E    F     G      F    E    D     C



Notice how the right hand plays 2 notes for every 1 note the left hand plays.

We are starting with a scale that most beginners know how to do, so we can focus on training hand independence.



Level 3: 

Same as Level 2 but play the entire C major scale.

RH plays 2 notes per 1 note in the LH (RH will play 2 octaves total)



Level 4: 

RH plays 3 notes per 1 note in the LH. 

Play the entire C major scale (RH will play 3 octaves total) 



Level 5: 

RH plays 4 notes per 1 note in the LH. 

Play the entire C major scale (RH will play 4 octaves total)



Once you are familiar with this, you can try this exercise with Hanon No. 1.

Instead of testing hand independence by playing different notes, you can play 



> Different articulation, ex. RH plays staccatos, LH plays legato. You can alternate every new rotation.

> Different dynamics, ex. RH plays forte, LH plays piano. Once easy, you can alternate every new rotation"