Left Hand Dexterity Challenge: Week Two

Welcome to Week Two!

This week we add a new layer: incorporating left-hand exercises with crossing the break. That shift between registers is something we’re all familiar with, but it can feel awkward if the fingers aren’t behaving in the most efficient way.

In the first exercise this week, here’s the key thing to try: keep your fingers down all the way to the C, and just change the pinky finger when you need the C♭. It might seem small, but this habit makes an enormous difference.

• Keep fingers down whenever possible — it provides stability in the throat register and smooths out the break.

• Pinky exchanges matter — work on moving it lightly and independently rather than letting the whole hand move.

• Why this helps: less right-hand motion means smoother transitions, steadier tone, and less chance for intonation to wobble.

This is something you’ll end up using constantly when playing, so it’s worth drilling carefully now. Take your time with the repetitions, and notice how much easier crossing the break feels when the right hand isn’t constantly lifting and dropping.