Technique Mastery Checklist PrElANe Phase 0: Preparation (Week 1) Go through and watch all the modules Intro & Setup CORE Exercise 1 C1 Full Workout Plan Daily Workout Overview (_JCORE Exercise 2 C Print Out PDF's (optional) The Journey CORE Exercise 3 Basic Positioning CORE Exercise 4 Phases 1-3: Foundation, Growth, Effortlessness (Weeks 2-13) Create a tally for each day you've worked on it up to 5. Fill in when you've mastered it Finger 5 Finger Scale Miyagi Phase Week Key Gauntlet Drill Drills Technique Phase 1/Week2/ C Week3| G Week4) F Week5|) OD Phase 2) Week6| Bb Week7| A Week8| Eb Week9/ E Phase 3|Week 10} Ab Week 11} B Week 12| Fit Week 13| C# Phase 4: Recap (Weeks 14-18) Go back to keys you missed, or ones that were especially challenging This phase is optional - you may not need it at all Move onto the Advanced Technique Section of the Course CONTINVED... dPiano Superhuman Tec hnique Overview Ultimate Goal: Develop Smooth, Effortless, Confident Playing in 91 Days Schedule & Routine Week? 2[3]4 6 7/8 ol 1 [2 Watcting Videas Print Om Cheat Sheets Finger Gauntet| 5 Finger Drill, Scale Drils Miyagi Technique Scale Finger Gaunt 5 Finger Dri Miyagi Technique Het Finger Gauntet| 5 Finger Drill, Scale Drils Miyagi Technique Keys you missed Review Tough Keys Drills cTG[Fl[o| ml] A] me | bl 8] | oH Phase 0: Preparation | Phase 1: Foundation | Phase 2: Growth Phase 3: Effortlessness| Phase 4: Recap Fun Not Fun t Glick Point 1 Total Time Speat: 10 to 15 minuies a day Total Days per Week: At Least 5 Core Elements: 1. Finger Strength ‘Solves: "Weak and Feeble” Playing Solves: Unused Fingers Acctenty Pressing Down Other Keys| ‘Solves: Ath/Sth Finger Independance Issues & "Weak Pinkie” Beneft: Boosts Your Nate Accuracy Beneft: Gives You a Confident, Powerful Sound Beneft: Cleans Up Your Sound By Avoiding "Muddying it Up" 2. Flow 2 “AKA"Evenness” or "Smoothness" Solves: Sloppy, Choppy, Disjinted Playing ‘Solves: Uneven Rhythm and Dynamics - Sounds Amature Salves: Constantly Thinking’ About the Music Benefit: Boosts Evenness and Smoothness Benoft: Adds Emotional Foo! To Your Sound Benoft: Tho Fluidity That Makes You Sound “Pro” Fan ‘SUPER Fun 1 Click Point 2 }_(Ontionay Click Point 3 3. Finger Control@) ‘Solves: Trouble Hitting the Right Notes Accurately Solves: Accidentally Hitting 2 Keys atthe Same Time Solves: Always Having to Look Down at Your Hanés Benefit: Boosts Your Note Accuracy Benefit The "Snap Effect” - Fingers know" the Keyboard Benefit: The Ability to Play W/O Constantly Looking Down 4. Effortlessness 2 -AKA" Relaxation’ ‘Solves: Tension And "Cramped Fingers” ‘Solves: Inability to Get Over Speed Walls ‘Solves: Having to "Try" or “Work’ to Play Piano Benefit: Avoid Injuryl! Bonefit: Huge Boost In Your Speod and Ability to Play Fast Bonofit: Let Go & Have the Fooling of "tho Music Playing Itself” Exercise The Miyagi TetniqueDaily Workout Plan - Overview Note: For a Mare In-Depth Overview, each exercise has its own sheet Step 1: Finger Gauntlet > Core Element: Finger Strength/Independence/Power Drill: Work All Finger Combinations: 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 2-1, 2-3... (etc) Movement Pattern: Over-Under, Naturally Curved Fingers, High Finger Action Accelerated Learning Technique: Rhythmic Variation (long, short long, short... etc) Estimated Time: 3-5 Minutes Step 2: Five Finger Drill —D Core Element: Flow/Evenness/Smoothness Drill: 1 23 4543 2 and repeat up one note at a time... (etc) Movement Pattern: Down & Out Towards Pinkie, Up & In Towards Thumb Accelerated Learning Technique: Dynamic Variation (Loud to Soft) Estimated Time: 2-3 Minutes Step 3: Scale Drills @) Core Element: Finger Control/Accuracy/Coordination Drill: Scales up and down using the correct fingering (see fingerings chart PDF) Movement Pattern: Quick Thumb, Slight Outwards Motion, Naturally Curved Fingers Accelerated Learning Techniques: 6 Drills (Quick Thumb, Added Note, Etc) Estimated Time: 3-5 Minutes Step 4: Miyagi Technique & Core Element: Effortlessness/Relaxation Drill: The Flop, The Catch, Independence, Chords Movement Pattern: "Wet Rope Arms”, Wrist & Elbow Move Down and Out Accelerated Learning Techniques: Exaggerate the motion Estimated Time: 1-2 MinutesThe Finger Gauntlet Exercise £. Develops Finger Strength, Independence, and Power Total Time: 3 to 5 Minutes per Day Part 1: The Notes ote LEFTHAND RIGHT HAND Ast Finger Combinations: 1-213 14 15 5 4 A2 224 5 2nd Finger Combinations: 2-1 2-3 2-4 2-5 ‘3rd Finger Combinations: 3-1 3-2 3-4 3-5 11 Ath Finger Combinations: 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-5 Sth Finger Combinations: 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 Let acd Pee eth SAE 25th Rh dot rer 5th Finger Combinations: 5-4 5-3 5-2 5-1 Ath Finger Combinations: 4-5 4-3 4-2 4-1 ‘3rd Finger Combinations: 3-5 3-4 3-2 3-1 ‘2nd Finger Combinations: 2-5 2-4 2-3 2-1 ‘st Finger Combinations: 1-5 1-4 1-3 1-2 B 20 HUMAN Part 2: The Form/Motion Rule #1 - When you're playing TOWARDS your pinkie, move your wrist in a “down and out” motion Rule #2 - When you're playing TOWARDS your thumb, move your wrist in an "up and in" motion Rule #3 - Used naturally curved fingers (but NOT "STIFF curved" - let them flow) Rule #4 - Focus on Lifting Fingers Higher Than Normal to Build Independence (make sure you watch the video to really understand how this should look - it's IMPORTANT) Part 3: Accelerated Learning Technique (Rhythmic Variation) ‘Step 1: Find your key of the week = Play Normal: Straight Rhythm ‘Step 2: Practice using the Rhythmic Variation Drill Rhythm 1: Long, short long, short... ‘Step 3: Repeat with your left hand - and you're done!! Rhythm 2: Short long, short long... Focus on the Form and Movement Pattern! Rhythm 3: Long, short short short... Rhythm 4: Short short short long... Play Normal: Straight Rhythm Part 4: The Progression and Master Plan ‘As you progress week after week, the keys will gradually contain more and more black notes You do NOT HAVE to practice this hands together - but if it starts to get easy, you can Don't start hands together until it's very comfortable hands separate, and at week 6 or later ACCURACY OVER SPEED ALWAYS!!ive Fi i PIANO The Five Finger Drill 2 Brae ANS Man Develops Flow, Evenness and Smoothness Total Time: 2 to 3 Minutes per Day Part 1: The Notes LEFTHAND RIGHT HAND ‘Right Hand re Riera 12345432 (repeat 2-4 times) 5 4 2 2284 5 ter Hand 11 54321234 (repeat 2-4 times) Continue 1 note at a time up the scale (see video) Part 2: The Form/Motion (the Over-Under Technique) Rule #1 - When you're playing TOWARDS your pinkie, move your wrist in a "down and out" motion Rule #2 - When you're playing TOWARDS your thumb, move your wrist in an "up and in" motion Rule #3 - Used naturally curved fingers (but NOT "STIFF curved" - let them flow) Rule #4 - Exaggerate the motion for the drill (make sure you watch the video to really understand how this should look - it's IMPORTANT) Part 3: Accelerated Learning Technique (Dynamic Variation) Step 1: Find your key of the week (Beginner Version) Step 2: Practice using the Dynamic Variation Drill = Play once loud (forte) Step 3: Repeat with your left hand - and you're done!! Play once soft (piano) Focus on the Form and Movement Pattern! Part 4: The Progression As you progress week after week, the keys will gradually contain more and more black notes As it starts to feel easy, around week 6 or 7, start using the Advanced Dynamic Variation below: Advanced Dynamic Variation: 1x Loud, 1x Medium Loud, 1x Medium Soft, 1x Soft Around week 9 or 10, start practicing hands together - but make sure hands separate is solid 1st ACCURACY OVER SPEED ALWAYS!!!Seale Drills @) Develops Finger Control, Accuracy and Coordination Total Time: 3 to 5 Minutes per Day Part 1: The Notes See the Scales Fingering Sheet for This Note: This is by FAR the most complicated drill - don't get overwhelmed, just take baby steps Part 2: The Form/Motion Rule #1 - As you're playing fingers 2 and 3, simultaneously move your thumb under Rule #2 - Use a slight outward motion with your wrist to prepare the thumb transition Rule #3 - Used naturally curved fingers (but NOT “STIFF curved” - let them flow) Note: the thumb transitions happen on the way UP in the RH, and on the way DOWN in the LH (make sure you watch the video to really understand how this should look - it's IMPORTANT) Part 3: Accelerated Learning Techniques (lots of them!) 1. Quick Thumb Drill (beginner) Step 1: Play fingers 1-2 focusing on the thumb under, Repeat 2 to 4x Step 2: Play fingers 1-2-3 focusing on the thumb under, Repeat 2 to 4x Step 3: Play fingers 1-2-3-1 focusing on the thumb under, Repeat 2 to 4x FOCUS on moving your thumb at the SAME time you play fingers 2 and 3 This is always a hands separate drill - you'll never practice it hands together Note: depending on the KEY, the thumb under transition might happen at a different part of the scale 2. Thumb Under Isolation Drill (beginner) Step 1: Find the Thumb Under section of the scale Step 2: Play the two notes that contain the thumb under transition, play 2 to 4x Step 3: Add a note to the top, play 2 to 4x Step 4: Add a note to the bottom, play 2 to 4x Step 5: Add a note to the top, play 2 to 4x Step 6: Add a note to the bottom, play 2 to 4x Continue adding notes until you reach the full scale This is always a hands separate drill - you'll never practice it hands together Note: depending on the KEY, the thumb under transition might happen at a different part of the scaleScale Drills Ctd... G) Bre ANG oan Part 3: Accelerated Learning Techniques (continued...) 3. Added Note Drill (intermediate) 4, Rhythmic Variation Drill (intermediate) Step 1: Play the first TWO notes of the scale, 2 to 4x Play Normal: Straight Rhythm, 2 to 4x Stop 2: Pay the first THREE notes of the scale, 2 to 4x Rhythm T:Long, short long, short. 2 to 4x Step 3: Play the first FOUR notes of the scale, 2 to 4x Rhythm 2: Short long, short long... 2 to 4x Stop 4: Play the first FIVE nates of the scale, 2 to 4x Rhythm 3: Long, short short short. 2 to 4x Continue this pattern until you've completed the full scale Rhythm 4: Short short short long. 2 to 4x Note: depending on the KEY, the thumb under transition Play Normal: Straight Rhythm, 2 to 4x might happen at a different part of the scale (like Finger Gauntlet except 2 to 4x each) 5. Metronome Ramp-Up Drill (advanced) Step 1: Start at a very slow speed, play 2 to 4x Step 2: Increase the tempo 8 to 12 BPM, play 2 to 4x Step 3: Increase the tempo 8 to 12 BPM, play 2 to 4x Step 4: Increase the tempo 8 to 12 BPM, play 2 to 4x ‘Step 5: Repeat until you hit your "Max Speed” for the day Step 6: Go back to a very slow tempo,play 2 to 4x ‘You can use a metronome app/website, but | recommend getting a physical one! Your "Max Speed” is the speed where you start making mistakes It's VERY important you end with Step 6 at a slow tempo to drill good habits . The No-Look Drill (advanced) Step 1: Play 4x focusing your eyes on your Right Hand Step 2: Play 4x focusing your eyes on your Left Hand Step 3: Play 4x looking up, NOT looking at the keys (or eyes closed) ‘You will have to slow it WAY down at first for Step 3: this is normal Part 4: The Progression Every day, you only need to pick a few scale drills - you don't have do them all every day! Over the course of the week, progress from the beginner drills to the advanced drills Eventually you do want to get hands together - but not until hands separate is ROCK solid You'll likely go the first couple weeks without getting hands together at all - that's normal ‘As you learn more and more scales, the next ones get easier to learn (Compound Interest Effect) Make sure you're using the correct fingerings from the chart - this is huge for good habits ACCURACY OVER SPEED ALWAYSIThe Miyagi Technique @ prelANO Develops Relaxation and Effortlessness Total Time: 1 to 2 Minutes per Day Part 1: The Steps Step 1:"The Flop" - Using your left hand, flop your entire right hand on the keyboard Step 2: "The Catch” - Using the same motion, “catch” the weight of your right hand with a finger Step 3: "Independence’ - Repeat the catch using your right hand only Step 4: "Chords" - Repeat playing three note chords Step 5: Repeat with your left hand Note: This is hard to explain over text - it makes way more sense in the video! Part 2: The Form/Motion Rule #1 - Make sure your arm feels totally relaxed as you prepare (wet, rope arms) Rule #2 - Breathe in as you raise your hand, and out as it goes down to the keyboard Rule #3 - As you "catch" the note, your wrist and elbow move down and out Rule #4 - Exaggerate the motion at first to help your brain internalize it (make sure you watch the video to really understand how this should look - it's IMPORTANT) Part 3: Notes on the Miyagi Technique Focus on using arm weight instead of “pressing” the notes with your fingers For the Catch, start with your 3rd finger (it’s the strongest) and move to your other ones Since your pinkie is the weakest, you can drop from a lower height This drill is different in that you can play ANY notes - the "key of the week" doesn't matter For chords, if you're a beginner, just use any three notes! The most common is fingers 1-3-5 Feel free to start practicing hands together (for step 3 and 4) around week 6 or 7Keys & Notes Cheat Sheet [mE!ANS unin Week |2/3/4/5|6/7/8/9|10/11)12\13 Key C|G|F | DJBbj A | Eb} E | Ab) B | FA \C# Phase {Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Difficulty | Beginner Intermediate |Advanced C Major G Major F Major Maj iW i i A ists Eb Major E Mn Ab Major Vint MM F# Major C# Major CMMajor Scale Fingerings BREAN Quuman C Major G Major F Major F[G[A [Bb] c[D[E N[c[ole[F[cjalalec N[c[A[B[c[o[e [Fc " iru] 1[2{3[1[2[3|4[5 iru] t[2[3|1 [2/3 [4/5 Irn] 1[2{3[4[1[2[3[4 lun] 5 [4] 3[2[1/3[2[1 lun] 5 [4] 3[2]a[3[2[1 lun] 5 [4/3 [2[1[3[2|1 D Major Bb Major A Major iii A NO [E[F#] 6 [A] B [cH] [Bb Bb N[A[B [ca] | [F# [GH] iru] 1[2[3[1[2[3|4[5 CORBBBBAo iru] 1[2[3[1[2[3|4[5 unl s[4]3[2[1/3[2[a uns [2]a[4]3[2[a[s uns [4/3[2[1[3[2[a Eb Major E Major Ab Major F[6 [Ab[Bb] c[D [on] a [8 [cw[pi bl FG Bt tb NTE [A B [cH o4| WN [Ab[Bb] ¢ [ob]Et 3 3 >| len] 3/1 [2[3[4|1[2[3 lent [2[3[1[2[3 [4/5 lanl 3 [41 [2[3[1/2 lun} 3 [2] 1 [4[3]2[ 1/3 uns [4] 3[2]a[3[2[1 lun} 3 [2] 1[4[3]2 [1/3 B Major F# Major C# Major Witt ib 1 [ca] Dae] Fe [GH [an [Ba cH 2[3la[if2 4[3l2ii[s [8 [ca[oe] E [F¥[GH]Ad] B [Fa [GH[aa] 8 [ca 1 4[5 irn]2[3[4[1[2[3 [1/2 CBE lun] 4[3]2[1[4/3[2[1 lun} [3] 2[t]3[2[a[4 lun] 3 [2 1 1Sheet Music be AY SUMAN These are all in the key of C - the first key you'll be working on For the other keys, simply repeat the same PATTERN using the "Keys & Notes” Cheat Sheet The Finger Gauntlet b&b + + = cee rer: tO tert SO Test Mee Mate te The Five Finger Drill =~ fosshas2 s2ae5es2 1 sont Sese rest Sane 1 f f Dp cS Ss rere, Sette, 8 Repeat this pattern, up one note at a time, for the whole key, ending one octave up Step 3: Seale Drills @) = Note: The fingerings for scales change for each key - see the Fingerings PDF Step 4: Miyagi Technique €> No sheet music for this one - you can choose any notesNE |9A9] anbiuy9a} 0 ¢ dSed Z 9Sed | 9Seud yolld» a wind ssaussayyioyjz, yIMOI ~—«y WoRepUNoY Aauinoy ay - Ue}g ]NoyJO\ anbiuyoa]