Foundations Of Piano Technique

Chapter 1 – Prevention is better than cure

 Technical security at the piano can only exist when the performer has achieved complete
firmness in the fingertips along with total freedom and relaxation in the wrists, elbows and
shoulders..
 If your back is not straight then you are sitting too high, and if your shoulders are raised even
slightly then you are too low.
 Feet should be firmly anchored, at a slightly splayed angle, feeling a centre of gravity in your
heels means that you can sit on the edge of the stool and liberate the whole of your body for
use as needs be.
Exercise and warm-ups
 If a student is able to cope with firm fingers and free wrists on his knee or table, it is logical
to try and get the same results via Hanon exercises at the piano.
 A calm, regular warm up routine should be stressed. Part of it should consist of standing
with a sensible posture away from the piano, then transfer that to the stool at the
instrument.
 Start your daily practice by playing a sequence of eight to ten note chords quietly, checking
posture and wrist and hand positions. Each chord should be securely gripped yet completely
comfortable and effortless. This is a good way to instil firm finger-work and free wrists.
 A cooling down period at the end of the day is advisable, whereby the warm up process is
repeated.
 Visualisation in advance of practice session you are about to embark on is equally important.
Take time before playing to articulate in your mind what it is you are trying to achieve.
Chapter 2 – Alignment
 Perhaps there is nothing more dangerous in piano playing than poor wrist-arm alignment. At
the exact moment keys are struck, anything other than a straight line from the wrist through
the lower arm to the elbow is clearly unhealthy.
 Undulating movements of the wrist in between notes are vital for preparation and
relaxation. These should resemble sine waves.
 Elbows are frequently kept too close to the shoulders/side of body. To remove countless
technical problems, a relaxed ‘rotary’ movement from the elbow is healthy to practice.
(“Give your armpits air!”).
 There should be a sense of controlled relaxation as you continue exercises by gently rotating
in clockwise, then anti-clockwise movement from your elbows.