Exercises can be the least attractive element of learning to play the piano. They can be mechanical and repetitive and to a lot of people fairly meaningless.
However, exercises build technique. They promote the muscular growth and flexibility and dexterity to prepare you for the more difficult pieces.
Exercises need to be approached proactively rather than reactively. That is, get involved, listen carefully. Measure yourself against these three principles:
- Am I playing smoothly?
- Am I playing on the beat?
- Am I playing with an even tone?
The last one, which means “am I playing the notes so that none of them sound too loud or too soft,” is the biggest challenge you’ll face when learning to play. Regular exercises help to meet that challenge.