Correct position of hands & arms when playing piano

Hand Position is never static and steady on the piano. It depends on a task that you are doing including various techniques such as scales like passages, arpeggios, octaves, chords, etc. However, we should observe certain rules and understand how:

Fingers work – they move faster and easier when hand is placed higher above the keyboard. Therefore, fingers should “land” on the key at the tip (the finger pad under your nail), apart from the thumb which should be almost in a vertical position. If you put your wrist too low, you will notice that the thumb is not able to move freely or fast enough. This can cause an extra pressure and the feeling of heaviness in your hand and wrist. Such piano playing may cause an injury if practising for long hours.

Wrist work – wrist movement is at the core of healthy piano technique and it should be relaxed at all times. It is like a bridge between the fingers and the arm. It is often stiff when thumb is not being used correctly when playing fast chords or octaves. Pushing the key with the fingers also causes wrist tension.

Arm Position – if a pianist is constantly using the upper arm that supports the lower arm with a completely loose elbow whilst playing any texture or technique at all parts of the keyboard, then they are playing in the correct way. However, if the elbow is not completely relaxed, it does not allow proper function of the upper arm or wrist movement. Consequently, the chain arm-wrist-fingers will be broken and its function distorted. This could cause various piano-related injuries including tennis elbow or shoulder tensions.

This article was penned by professional piano teacher Marina Petroc from London. Please see her piano teaching profile at www.MyPianoLessons.co.uk