How to Find YOUR Best Hand Position at the Piano! 🎹

[@FloydSmithjrTheattitude]

Something that helps me is to constantly remind myself to relax, tell my brain to shut up. Overthinking causes massive amounts of tension, not just in your hands and fingers but in your whole body. You need to find a balance of staying relaxed and applying pressure when necessary. It’s not just piano, it’s anything you’re attempting to do. If you’re not mentally stable I would assume that 100% of the the time it’s overthinking. Yes, you do have to learn proper techniques, but you need to practice patience. If you’re trying to force something most likely you’re going to break it. Once you learn the progression, the next step is focusing on mental, emotional stability. The problem isn’t in your fingers, it’s in your head. When you break any piece of music or technique down it’s really quite simple. If you’re not mentally stable your bridge is going to collapse into the ravine. To achieve control of a musical instrument, or anything else for that matter, you must first achieve control of your self.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Great insight - it's so true! Thanks for sharing!

[@Hollycb12]

Your videos have been so helpful! Thank you so much, Dr. Boyd!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You're welcome! Glad you're here!

[@piano.player]

Thank you prof!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You are welcome!

[@abview]

Thank you for your videos. Most helpful. I'd like to know your thoughts on pianist Jose Iturbi's (1895-1980) hands when they play piano. To me, they appear very stiff with bent fingers, yet he appears to play well.

[@TheTmackey]

What a thorough and beautiful lesson. Thank you Prof!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thanks so much!

[@vinayak3751]

Thank you professor for uploading this

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You're welcome! Glad it's helpful!

[@steveodendahl7673]

This video is extremely helpful! One question about chords: do you use the upper arm, flexing at the elbow, and keeping the chording fingers solid but letting the fingers that aren’t depressing a key relax, or do you move the chording fingers at the knuckle without using the upper arm? I’m guessing the former, but please let me know!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

The former! 😊

[@steveodendahl7673]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you!

[@zccsa]

I struggle to play between the black keys as my fingers get stuck on the sides, and was hoping you maybe give some advice on what to do. Currently I turn my hand sideways , but this cause a lot of strain.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

I address this briefly at around 7:07 in this video. In order to avoid getting caught between the black keys you need to play more toward the front of the key. Good luck!

[@zccsa]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd The problem I have are for example trying to play middle C# (finger 1) , A ( finger 3) ,1 higher C# (finger 5) in my right hand. My fingers seem to get more stuck if i move to the front of the keys than to the back .

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@@zccsa If your 3rd finger can fit on the A between the keys, that's optimal. Sounds like your hand is large - I wonder if you can change the fingering and play 1-2-4 and get at it more sideways.

[@zccsa]

​@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thanks, I tried it and it is a lot more comfortable and sounds better since my fingers doesn't get stuck on the other keys. 😄

[@koenraaddesmet3086]

Is there a hand position for pianists who have fingers that don’t fit between the blak keys?

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You need to pull your arm out a bit so you can stay on the white keys. I address this briefly around 7:07

[@annfung7402]

Can pianists develop arthritis in fingers?🙏🏻

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Yes, unfortunately!

[@samrogers9515]

Beginners ... Everybody .... Watch this video!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thanks for spreading the word! 🥰

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Watch this next! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKKygYp5n8aXsM0

[@Sitbon08]

I prefer to talk about ‘hand shape’ rather than position.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Great point! I have heard that used as well.

[@marquislewis9063]

Me and my two cents. 🤣. I just wanted (had) to take the opportunity to say that she did say she prefers ‘hand bridge’. In fact, it was so loud she put it in writing for all to see. *(Yes. I read her reply, too.) Now, I’ll un-pause, and get back to the remaining 17 minutes of the video. 🤣.