I believe that the most creative parts of ourselves can be expressed when we don’t feel confined by rules. There are a few basic music concepts that are in place for good reason, though. Practicing proper hand posture while playing your instrument is among the foundational few.
Good Habits Start Early
It is essential to form good habits in the early stages of your piano playing journey. If you’re someone that needs to do some “un-learning” then that’s okay, too. No matter what instrument you’re playing, it’s safe to say that there’s a correct way to play and then there’s your way. If you have a natural slouch while in the sitting position, you may not even realize the negative effect it could be having on your playing. It may feel like a task to straighten up, but it is well worth it. Your wrists, elbows, shoulders, spine, and feet should be in good relation to the piano as they all play a pivotal role in proper posture. It is important to learn how to practice correctly to avoid repetitive stress injury.
Get Balanced
Once seated at your bench, plant your feet firmly on the ground keeping your back straight and shoulders relaxed. You can move your right foot slightly forward to gain more control. You should feel balanced, allowing your arms to hang relaxed from your shoulders. Your hands and forearms should be in line with each other. Your elbows should sit slightly higher than the keys allowing for a comfortable reach without any tension. Your wrists may have a tendency to want to bend up, down, or side to side. Keep them straight and aligned with your forearms. Your fingers should slightly curl as if you’re holding a computer mouse. Now, prepare to play by placing your hands down on the keys in position. Use the weight of your arms to support your playing, rather than your wrists. Release the keys in an upward motion as you lift your fingers from the notes.
Potential Adjustments
Your footstool and piano bench play a part in proper technique as well, particularly relating to your relation to the ground. If your bench sits too low or too high for your specific height, you’ll experience muscle strain which will hinder your performance and the duration in which you’re able to play comfortably. That muscle strain begins in the neck and makes its way down affecting your back, arms, and everything in between. Players run the risk of developing more serious problems like carpal tunnel after sustained injury to the wrists and hands. With your body in proper relation to the keys, your muscles will remain relaxed throughout your playing.
Depending on the height of the player, a footstool is required in some cases to help achieve proper piano posture. When a person’s feet don’t touch the ground, the balance gets distributed in the wrong places affecting the amount of control one has over their body. Standing while playing will also affect posture negatively as the neck will compensate by bending downward, and the arms won’t fall in line with the optimal playing position. In conclusion, players must practice finding the balance of stability and comfort while at the piano bench.
