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I Like Sticky Candyfloss: A Fun Finger Strengthening Exercise
Here is a catchy little finger strengthening exercise perfect for first piano lessons, that is excellent for developing and increasing finger co-ordination. Ask the child whether they prefer Sticky Candy floss or Chewy Chocolate Bars? (you will find that you can adapt the words quite easily, once I even changed it to Cheese and Onion Crisps!) First explain that this is quite a tricky little game and challenge them to see if they can do it? An element of competition always seems to help! Explain that when you do this exercise each finger has its own go in turn.
Before you start you can practice with your fingers on your leg. This helps to make it clear which fingers to play. It also helps if you actually touch the fingers, 1&2, 2&3, 3&4, 4&5 in pairs, to show the pattern. At first, it is particularly difficult to control fingers 4&5 – this is completely normal, and the more you try, the easier it will get. With a few goes it will soon become clear. Then your little pupil will find it great fun to try to play it faster and demonstrate how much easier they find it!
Once they have mastered this finger strengthening exercise with each hand separately, try hands together. Both hands should start with 1 (thumb) on Middle C. This sounds very impressive and is easier than it sounds – as both hands are doing exactly the same thing. This is fun and very satisfying!
Don’t miss the rest of the First Piano Lessons series and if you’d like more piano resources for young beginners check out our FIRST PIANO LESSONS eBOOK !
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Thanks so much for all your hard work on this website and in putting together such great activities and lessons. I have been following the first piano lessons and easy pieces for the last couple of months with my six and four year old. I learnt oboe for seven years and my piano is pretty basic but these lessons have been so easy and fun to follow…and teach!
You’re welcome Vicky! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the first piano lessons with your children, it’s a lovely thing to share with your kids! 🙂
I love this web site , I’m just about to start to teach again after 15 years and I love you new fresh approach , it said I can sign up for weekly Emails but couldn’t see where so could u arrange that for me with the above email,address ,
Can’t wait to read more !!!!!
Cheers
Lynda
Hi Lynda, Thanks, I’m so glad you’re finding the website useful – If you’re just starting up teaching again, you might be interested in our new First Piano lessons eBook, just published and for one week only, at a special launch price! http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/first-piano-lessons-ebook/
Love this so much my song can now play by ear xxx 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that kaelah! Keep up the practice!
Love it! I want to use this in my next lesson. Thank you! I’m here in the US and call it “cotton candy”. How would you change it to match cotton candy? Just add another note at the end (using “candy” instead of floss), or prolong it two two counts?
Hi Rebecca, Glad you like this fun finger exercise! And yes, do change the words to make sense for the child, just sing both syllables of ‘can-dy’ on the last note as 2 quavers (1/8 notes) instead of 1 crotchet (1/4 note) Actually, I’m always changing the words around and sometimes I make it ‘chewy chocolate bars’ for a bit of extra fun!