question for keyboard players

[Mike Lipinski]

Hi, I'm wondering if there are keyboard players who could answer a somewhat technical question. I'm re-learning to play and hand position has given me a considerable amount of trouble. I know that when I studied classical music that the manner in which the player's hand was posiioned over the keyboard (usually curled into a claw) was important to achieve technique, which means speed, agility and of course the "proper tone." Of course, if you look at the llikes of Thelonius Monk, you realize that a lot of what's considered "normal" in classical music doesn't apply to people like that. But we're talking child prodigies here, and geniuses. I know I'm no genius and getting to the point where I can say I'm satisfied with my playing is a real challenge. Does anyone have any opinions on the "right" hand position for the hand? Any keyboard players care to comment?

Mike

[John Doheny]

I'm the world's crummiest piano player, but I did take two years of class piano as an undergraduate, and studied it as a minor instrument in my second year ( I had to. It was a deal I made to avoid flunking the course).

In general I'd say that proper posture and hand position is essential, regardless of style. This is true of any instrument, Dizzy Gillespie and Monk notwithstanding. To do anything else is to invite Mr. Tendonitus into your life.

[Mike Lipinski]

Yeah, thanks. You are absolutely right, which is why I have concerns. I don't think my hand position or anything is really that bad, it's just that I found recently that I can only get so far with my scales and pieces I want to play, and I'm limited as to my improvisational skills, obviously, because I know what I want to play but can't quite get it right.

Mike.

[phildwyer]

welcome to the club.

[Jason]

Mike,

Given the differences between every players hand shape, and finger-sizing, there really isn't a "correct" way to position your hands. Classical instructors cringe when you say that, but I think there are some basic maxims to follow that help.

Firstly, relaxation is the critical factor. As long as your hand is relaxed and limber, ready to spring and flex at a moments notice, you are half-way there to "doing it right". Tension kills technique, and makes it more diffucult to pull off trills and various ornamentation in your playing. My first couple of teachers were pretty religious about curling the fingers, but if you pay close attention to any good piano player...you notice one thing......they all play totally differently. Although...typically, they don't hold their hands flat on the keys.

Fingering is, to my mind, more critical than hand position or finger-shape (curling, or what-have-you), since fingering determines how well prepared you are to cross-over quickly, arpeggiate accurately, and so on. The best way to get your fingering up will never change in my mind: Hanon excercises. Buy yourself a wack-load of Hanon books, and do every single excercise.

If you do this a LOT, you get VERY good VERY fast.

Good luck!
J

[Carol]

I've only been playing a couple of years, but FWIW, my teacher is more concerned about wrist position - no letting my wrist sag - than about any other hand position. Also, I find playing from my too-low bench was giving me achy forearms; I noticed it didn't happen when I played my teacher's piano, with a higher bench. So I put a cushion on mine now, which has temporarily solved it till I get a higher bench. You can download a pdf of Hanon online for free but I can't find the URL right now. But I could email it to you - you p.m. me your email if you want it.