Do this ONE piano exercise to relieve tension while playing!

[@CrackerJayherber]

As a beginner in his 40's, I can say this is very helpful advice. I started learning piano a month ago and I recently had to take a few days off due to muscle cramping in my hands because of tension building up. Your tips in this video and other videos are so great. I look forward to joining any courses you have. Thank you kindly!

[@leeciap]

You should be one of the UT teachers with 100Ks of followers and someday you probably will be. You don't resort to loud goofy antics that don't go with your engaging manner and thoughtful intelligent content. If any of your fans read this I will say that when I burn through your content my next favorites are Prof Kate and Jazer Lee as a 3rd. They, like Susan focus mainly on classical training/music and not the pervasive all POP and CHORD content that sadly prevails on YT. Thank you Susan!

[@PianoRoadmap]

Thank you! I appreciate Prof Kate as well.

[@sumsumab1809]

Great advice!!!

[@eugenevazquez4890]

Wow I have watched a ton of videos as an adult beginner and this is the first time this technique has been explained. Thank you, tension has always been my struggle and delay in practicing

[@PianoRoadmap]

You're welcome! I hope it helps.

[@alvarolondo]

Very well done videos!

[@sqkoi]

really great exercise!! i notice that my left hand bounces a lot to keep in time, which leads to it having barely any tension. My right hand, however, is very stiff and doesn't flow as easily. I will definitely be trying this!!

[@PianoRoadmap]

That's awesome! And you'll notice that, once you get practiced at releasing tension, you don't even need a bounce 😃

[@OneStepToday]

This is a fundamental key topic that I hope i will remember in future, i will write it down in my notes. This is why the pain/injury happens due to Hanon like exercises bec theres no release of tension; whereas in musical pieces there is less chance of the tension retaining.

[@PianoRoadmap]

Exactly! My hands and arms get tense with things like Hanon as well, although there are micro-opportunities to release tension. That's a topic for another video...maybe. I'm not a huge fan of Hanon. 😁

[@samrogers9515]

Thank you. Great video.

[@inhorama338]

Thank you, great advice =)

[@aeonically]

Thank you so much for this video, I have been working so hard over summer on the piece my teacher set and was so upset when I started hurting. I can feel a diference already.

[@PianoRoadmap]

That's amazing! Glad it's helping.

[@rihammayia1826]

Love this video so much 💙💙

[@goldie5788]

Thanks ❤️ that's an amazing video

[@PianoRoadmap]

You're welcome 😊 Hope it was helpful!

[@franciscocalvo1980]

Thanks.

[@88tongued]

Oo! I got a little ASMR from this explanation and demonstration. But also, of course, looking forward to trying a new piano relaxation technique.

[@PianoRoadmap]

That's so funny! You're not the first to mention the ASMR thing...maybe I have another career in my future 😁 Hope the relaxation technique helps you!

[@ryanparry1247]

I started trying to learn piano last year and since November I've had back/wrist pain 🙁 obviously must have playing with poor technique, currently having physio but it doesn't seem to be improving things, I'm not able to play at the moment because it causes too much discomfort. This seems like a great video

[@PianoRoadmap]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Have things improved for you?

[@ryanparry1247]

@@PianoRoadmap I'm still doing the physio, thanks, there's maybe been a slight improvement but still getting shooting pains in the top of my hands, tried to practise the piano once but felt discomfort straight away, hands feel fatigued aswell sorry to say 🙁

[@saras010]

Thanks that was helpful🌷

[@PianoRoadmap]

A flower, for me? 😃😃 Glad it was helpful!

[@maquinas2000]

I think I now understand the things I’ve been trying to realise

[@jbdjbd8922]

These are amazing tips. Thank you, they have helped me a great deal!

[@PianoRoadmap]

You're welcome! Great to hear they've helped.

[@danielkushla2383]

I'm having alot of tension in my forearm. I'm playing godowsky op25 no12. I can't use much of this video for that

[@blank_white_paper_revolution]

👍

[@808BOT_Beats]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@PianoFromAnthony]

Hello so I have been playing piano for about 4 years 2 of which were self taught and I have reached a pretty advanced level in that time and I am planning to go for a college degree in music performance so I am preparing my 4 octave scales in all 12 keys. During this I have noticed a flaw in my technique that keeps coming back. My pinky always used to stick up and I have mostly had that fixed over time, but when I started practicing my scales again I have noticed over the course of practicing my scales everyday in practice sessions my right pinky always goes in a different position to my left either in or slightly out and its causing tension in that area to where my pinky’s have twinges when I am done practicing my scales. Do you have any tips to get rid of this to reduce the tension that comes from this?

[@PianoRoadmap]

Wow, congrats on so much progress over relatively little time! It's difficult to say exactly without actually seeing your hand while you play, but I would go very very slowly, just the RH. After every single note you play, relax the pinky down to its normal position if it has popped out. After several sessions with this, see if you can gradually add a little speed while keeping the pinky relaxed. Also, limit your practice time with scales for now, no more than 10 minutes (or so) per session. Or less if you are noticing pain/extra tension. It's more important to stay injury free right now. Good luck!

[@PianoFromAnthony]

@@PianoRoadmap Thank you very much the advice goes a long way! I will try to low the amount of time of scales in my practice time to reduce stress!

[@PianoRoadmap]

And hopefully, you'll be able to work with someone soon in person to address the issue! @@PianoFromAnthony

[@ludicroussealanimations3643]

how can i apply this to fast pieces? I struggle a lot with the beginning of ravels sonatine (first movement)

[@PianoRoadmap]

Looking at the beginning of that piece, it's important that the RH relax as much as possible as it's holding down the melody/top notes. Use just enough weight to keep the key depressed, but the rest of your hand and fingers should feel completely loose and relaxed. Also, take advantage of those 32nd rests. It's a split second, but there's still time to relax the hand.

[@ludicroussealanimations3643]

@@PianoRoadmap thank you so much for your advice i will try to apply it to my practice this evening

[@legodestroyer11]

Idk why it’s just my left hand pinky that causes me some discomfort

[@PianoRoadmap]

That's common for many pianists, including me. It's weak, and if you're right-hand dominant, it's probably the weakest finger of all 10.

[@2konjur]

Holy Moly, piano is out of tune!

[@hansfijlstra5932]

Yeah, that gives me a lot of tension… 😂