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Posture may not seem important at first, but it is actually a crucial element in becoming a proficient piano player.
How does posture help?
Poor hand posture can negatively impact your performance, hinder your fine motor skills, and even cause injury. Cramps caused by bad hand posture can limit practice time, which in turn affects your ability to play properly. To maintain a good posture, sit with your back straight, relax your neck, keep both feet close to the pedals, and ensure that your elbows are at the same height as the keys.
Proper finger care is also important. Keep your nails trimmed to the appropriate length so that your fingertips, rather than your nails, touch the piano keys. This ensures that your performance will sound more like a musical piece and not like a typing class.
What constitutes good hand posture?
Imagine holding a ball the size of your palm. Your knuckles will naturally protrude, and your fingers will curve slightly. Try doing this without the ball, placing both thumbs on middle C, and keeping your fingers slightly arched. While it may feel awkward initially, maintaining this posture will help you avoid cramps, reduce fatigue, and provide easier access to the keys, both black and white.
The way you position your fingers is similar to typing. If you are good at typing, you may find adjusting to proper piano hand posture easier than expected.
Fingering, in piano playing, refers to using the correct fingers to play specific notes in a song or piece. The thumbs are labeled number 1, index fingers as 2, and so on. Some piano compositions indicate the appropriate finger numbers for each note.
For beginners, writing the finger numbers on your hand using non-permanent markers may be helpful, but be prepared to explain your interesting choice of temporary “tattoo” design.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
