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The material that comprises technical execution on the piano consists of:

1.  Scales;
2.  Shakes;
3. Chords, divided into (a) Firm chords and (b) Broken chords;
4. Tremolo passages;
5. Double notes — thirds, connected fourths and sixths;
6. Octaves.

As scales form the actual basis of a good, correct, even and pleasing execution, no amount of pains and trouble ought to be spared to ensure thorough efficiency and fluency in the performance of them. The difficulty of playing scales is found in two points : the acquisition of an absolute evenness of strength in all the five fingers, and the faculty of passing the thumb under the hand in so quiet and gentle a manner that no jerking or breaking of the even flow of the scale is perceptible. Bach truly remarks : ” a scale ought to resemble a string of pearls in which all the pearls are of equal size and each touches the next without adhering to it.” The study of scales is frequently begun without a proper preparation. The preliminary exercises that ought to be completely mastered before the actual scale-practice is taken in hand consist of:

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(a) Exercises for the thumb ; and

(b) Exercises for making all five fingers thoroughly independent of each other.

For the strengthening and rendering the thumb movable, supple, and pliable, the following exercises are highly, recommended :

The semibreves are to be held down firmly.

All these exercises are to be played in slow time, and care must be taken that the thumb may strike with equal force even the most inconvenient notes.

When a certain facility and readiness in moving the thumb has been acquired, the following exercises may be studied :

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After the learner has gone through these exercises steadily and with earnest attention, it will be good for him to bestow great care on the task of rendering the five fingers of each hand fluent or, we may say, liquid.  At the same time great care must be taken to employ the thumb liberally and frequently on the black keys. The following exercises will be found useful for this preliminary part of scale-study:

For the continuation of this sample sheet music you can download it here

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