How to Position Yourself at the Piano

Advice about position can only be given in general terms, since much depends on variables like height, build, and length of arms and fingers. Just make sure that your back and arms don't get tired from playing and that you can reach the keyboard without strain.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pianos
• Sheet Music
• Piano Stool

1. Adjust the height of your chair so it feels comfortable to you. You might want to use a pillow. If you have a stool, adjust it to find the height that suits you best.

2. Sit forward and at the center of the keyboard.

3. Sit at such a height and distance from the keyboard that your arms are naturally bent and your fingers fall on the white keys easily and can reach the black keys when stretched out a little.

4. Let your elbows hang loosely, fairly close to your body and not lifted too high.

5. Keep your forearms level with the keyboard, with your elbows a little higher.

6. Rest the ball (not the toe) of your right foot firmly on the damper (right-foot) pedal, ready for action.

7. Rest the left foot further back from the left-foot pedal, as the left pedal is not used frequently.

8. Imagine holding an apple in your hands. Your hands are now cup-shaped and the fingers bent and rounded.

9. Rest the tips of your fingers vertically on the white keys.

10. Position the sides of your thumbs (not the tips) on the white keys; bend your thumbs slightly.

Tips & Warnings

• Finger positions are only approximate and may have to be adjusted when black keys or certain styles are involved.
• There is no "correct" height. Some players prefer a high seat, others a low one.
• Keep your fingernails short all the time.

[Baronvonbadd]

on 5/21/2008 Indeed! Look after your nails. My right thumb started bleeding due to a damaged nail. It was after a loud intro tune, I was in agony for the whole gig which lasted an hour. By the end the piano looked like a Jackson Pollock Painting! Never good.

[Baronvonbadd]

on 5/21/2008 Definitely look after your nails, my right thumb started bleeding due to a damaged nail once, it was the first tune into an hour set. I was in agony throughout the performance and the piano ended up looking like a Jackson Pollock painting! Not good.

on 8/8/2006 Check your body position each time you sit down to play. Your body is growing, and you will gradually adjust your bench further back as your arms and legs grow.

on 11/22/2005 I don't take piano lessons or anything, but I'm sure this is good advice: Try not to bite your nails, especially if it causes them to bleed, because it can hurt pretty badly when playing, especially when you play high-velocity (loud) notes. It only hurts for about 2 or 3 days, but it still shouldn't have to happen.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you are comfy before you start
playing. Nothing is worse than having to ajust your seat in the middle of smooth playing. Also,make your hands in a fist and SQUEEZE as hard as you can, then give them a shake. Work your elbows and shoulders. Make sure everything is frisky and good.