Hanon Exercise No. 1 (Right Hand)

The classic five-finger climb: C-E-F-G-A-G-F-E, moved up a step each time.

Level:
4 of 6
Hands:
Right hand
Key:
C major
Notes:
33
Range:
C4 to D5
One run:
about 13 seconds at 80 bpm

The notes, in order

33 notes, one at a time.

  1. C4
  2. E4
  3. F4
  4. G4
  5. A4
  6. G4
  7. F4
  8. E4
  9. D4
  10. F#4
  11. G4
  12. A4
  13. B4
  14. A4
  15. G4
  16. F#4
  17. E4
  18. G#4
  19. A4
  20. B4
  21. C#5
  22. B4
  23. A4
  24. G#4
  25. F4
  26. A4
  27. A#4
  28. C5
  29. D5
  30. C5
  31. A#4
  32. A4
  33. G4

How to practise it

  1. Each group of eight notes is the same shape a step higher
  2. Lift each finger clearly before the next one plays
  3. Keep every note the same volume, especially fingers 4 and 5

The scale behind it

This one is built on the C Major scale: C D E F G A B (no sharps or flats). Its right-hand fingering runs 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, and the scale page has the full diagram if you want to hear the shape on its own first.

How to play it here

Play along on the keys with your mouse, your computer keyboard, a touch screen, or a MIDI keyboard you have plugged in. Every key can show its own name, and the metronome will hold the tempo while you work through the 33 notes.

What it trains

  • hanon
  • independence
  • endurance

More dexterity drills

Finger independence and evenness. Dull on purpose, and the fastest way to a cleaner hand.

All piano exercises