Piano Fundamentals. Hand Position. Wrist and Fingers. 5 Initial Exercises.

Continuing my Fundamentals of Piano Playing Series.
This is a great starting point for beginners, explaining all the essential movements in depth and in detail, as well as presenting you with a few initial exercises to help build a solid foundation for your hand position, wrist and finger movements to ensure proper and tensionless weight transfer.
Content:
0:17 Sitting Position Review
2:25 Relaxed/Heavy Arms
5:38 Hand Shape
8:59 Finger Position
13:02 Silent Exercise for fingers
15:19 Wrist exercise #1
17:37 How to release the key and relax
19:40 Wrist Exercise #2 non legato
21:43 Wrist Exercise #3 legato
23:02 Pinky Alert!
23:32 Helping Finger Independence
24:03 Active Finger Exercise
25:55 Summary
Thanks for watching! Hope it was helpful!
👩🏻‍🏫🎹

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Remarkably detailed and helpful. Thank you!

[@Dariafortepiano]

I'm very glad you found it helpful! Thank you for leaving feedback!🙏

[@scottderrick8166]

This was a great topic. My teacher tells me I am too tense in my shoulders and back while playing, a message I have heard throughout my years of piano. Hearing you describe and demonstrate these fundamentals was very helpful. You are a very clear communicator. Thanks for sharing your expertise, Daria!

[@gabrielboyce8660]

0:07 very good pedagogy. Very well explained. This exactly the help I was looking for. I’m inspired.

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I am so happy I can inspire people! Best of luck with your piano studies and happy new year! 🎶🥳

[@martinmurchison5419]

Thank you. This has answered some questions I could not find answers too.

[@bagfacedog]

I'm a newbie. Thanks for this. Very foundational. I've already developed some bad habits that this video will help me to correct. The exercises, in particular, are worth the watch.

[@damiendenipitiya4088]

❤ Good Teacher

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you!🙏

[@ddahstan6876]

What a wonderful fundamental technique for starters!! Just invaluable... prevent running into little hurdles down the road. ❤❤

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment!

[@JJJA_Home]

This is so helpful! I’ve been looking for the information about hand position and this is very comprehensive!

[@Jens-Piano]

You are truly an amazing person for dedicating so much time to teach us. Thank you so much

[@Dariafortepiano]

Awww. Thank you so much for such touching words of feedback! Reading this inspires me to do more!🙏☺️

[@comettripper]

Thank you for this video, I was really confused by some of the posture rules and this really helped me understand them and how to apply them as well. Very nice work ♡

[@Ranger1216]

Very generous of you to give all of us these valuable lessons. I am a beginner and will practice these technique.Thank you USA.

[@Getbg]

thank you so much

[@emanuelerisso8560]

learning piano from 6 mounth as 40yo...found your videos extremely useful...you are the best 🥰

[@sandhyapc1635]

Thanks a lot for sharing these. I've started learning piano an year back and am starting to develop tendonitis, and was looking for a good resource for developing proper technique. Checked out so many things on internet and this tutorial looks absolutely what i need. Getting to doing these exercises right away! Thanks a ton!

[@Dariafortepiano]

So glad my videos are helpful! Thanks for the feedback 🙂

[@igotbit9454]

You’re very good at explaining concepts. This is a big problem for me as a beginner. I have so much tension in my forearm and I found some answers as to why in this video. I will try these lessons out thanks

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you very much for your feedback! I appreciate the nice words about my teaching style 🙏

[@jacquelinerubin8274]

Very well presented Daria. All of these points are essential to stamina and injury prevention. It’s so true that it’s how you distribute weight is key. That’s really the secret. Glad you are back with your videos.

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you so much Jacqueline! I appreciate your valuable feedback! I'm trying to post at least a little bit. Hope you are well! 🤗

[@michaelmccormick4991]

Finally, my book arrived. All the way from Germany. Now the work begins.👍

[@Dariafortepiano]

Yay! Good luck! :)

[@robertobettini1470]

Please can you tell me the title? Tank you Roberto from roma

[@vovoyaya9099]

This is well explained and demonstrated, immensely helpful, thank you

[@Dariafortepiano]

So glad to hear that, thank you for leaving a comment!🙏

[@magnusg20]

Thank you so much for this, I've been trying to relearn my technique and your videos have helped me a lot! Very kind of you to give this information out freely. Keep up the good work!

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you very much for your comment and feedback! I am very pleased to hear that my videos are helpful to others! Will make more very soon. Best of luck with your piano learning:)

[@magnusg20]

@@Dariafortepiano Thanks :)

[@sarahkwok508]

Oh thank you! I have been learning for a week but couldn’t get my hands position right but after watching your video I went and tried and I was able to curve my hands! This video is so informative and effective!

[@Dariafortepiano]

I'm so glad my tutorial was so helpful for you! Thank you for leaving a comment!!🙏😃

[@lucyl.6495]

Thanks Daria for Your tips -:) You are really good teacher. I'm waitng for Your next videos. Be happy ..just😄

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank so much for you feedback, Lucy! I hope I can post new video tomorrow . Working on it:)

[@thomasmiranda3800]

Thank you so much for the detailed information 🎉

[@Dariafortepiano]

Wonderful! I'm glad you are enjoying the information in the video! Thank you for leaving a comment!🙏

[@lakmalnishanta637]

Thank you so much for the descriptive video. I feel this very important to practice the piano in the proper way. 👍

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment!🙏

[@lindadainard7629]

Thank you, very helpful

[@robertinomartina3270]

Great video! Thank you

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you liked it😊

[@lemuelservano8246]

Much appreciated!

[@poeda6637]

Fascinating stuff. Inspiring. Thank you!

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you for your feedback!!

[@pallavihatkar2443]

I hadn't see a detailed video on the foundation.. thank you very much

[@Dariafortepiano]

You are very welcome! I'm glad if it was useful!:)

[@djshmul1]

Thanks a lot when i gave some pain i am going back to basic

[@Dariafortepiano]

Glad to help!

[@Eric-Marsh]

Great information

[@gregorprozesky]

The fundamentals of piano playing are very important in each level of piano playing. I hope you will explain the whole book of Mr and Miss Conus. Thank you very much.

[@Dariafortepiano]

Will do my best!👍

[@roanmccormick7923]

Thank you!

[@nelsonthekinger]

Real cool one thanks!!

[@skrskgs]

I've seen a lot of teachers online but they seem to assume that we beginners are already professionals. Daria you're the best. I just played my organ ( musical instrument ) which has been siting at the corner for almost 20 years!! If only I met you then I would be teaching you 😛 But seriously now I am also trying your style even while I am typing 🥴 But It has lights that guide you. In other words I cheat 😥 I used to play the guitar but I broke the ring finger while playing football (soccer). But I cannot figure out how you coordinate both hands when you play the piano. Ok you're going to be my default teacher - it's a pity that I neglected the organ ( musical instrument ) all these years. As I am typing to you I am conscious of my fingering,,,following what you said. Btw Daria, the same rules apply for an organ ( musical instrument ) right? Thank you.

[@fipitofaife6310]

I live this channel 👍🏾

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thanks so much for checking it out!🙏

[@yeaphungng4620]

love it

[@bentleycharles779]

Very good.

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank you!🙏

[@ALEX-gl2yz]

Welcome back !

[@lperson8970]

OMG. Great video. I really like your lipstick too!

[@rajkawa25]

Knowledgeable

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this. Proper technique is vital and you take the time to really explain. It's the first time I've seen one of your videos, it won't be the last. BTW does that cyst bother you?

[@Dariafortepiano]

Hi and thank you for your comment! I'm am very glad that you found my videos useful🙂 BTW no cysts👍

[@marcs6928]

Hi Daria- I realize I’m responding to an older post from you but I did buy the fundamentals of piano technique per your recommendation and was wondering if you could provide more videos which follow the instructions in the book… to make sure I and others are applying the techniques correctly. Thanks in advance - Marc

[@Dariafortepiano]

Hi Marc, Thank you for your question! In fact, you are not the only one asking for more videos on this, so I am working on making more. :) Recorded one yesterday. Will take a few days to edit and will post soon! I will make a few more after that too. So stay tuned. I am glad you got the book!👍

[@marcs6928]

@@Dariafortepiano hi Daria! That is excellent news 😁Thank you very much for being so supportive- looking forward to your videos!

[@Jasongy827]

I took piano in highschool and now I am 30, almost settled, I decide to come back to what I like to do such as reading literature and music got a electric piano and a basic book

[@Shalomdid]

This video is fire

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thanks!!

[@vanplano6350]

wa, really miss you! like the way you sit

[@BaHam-r4z]

Thank you for this very helpful video. This was exactly what I needed to know as a beginner. Online courses tend to jump into playing piano without explaining the fundamentals

[@Dariafortepiano]

You are very welcome! I am very glad to be helpful! Best of luck with your piano studies!!

[@elmasgun4313]

Why do we have to raise the finger first when pressing the key, is it not enough just to lower the finger with the rotation of the forearm and press the key?

[@craftylouie]

It 100% is enough to have the rotation and the lowering of the finger. There's no need to be raise the fingers first at all, because if you keep the natural shape of the hand and rotate before playing, then the finger will already be off the key bed. If you haven't already, check out 'Taubman technique'. It talks all about how if you're lifting the fingers, you're creating unnecessary tension.

[@yoyichen4470]

The best lesson for me, a piano beginner . I feel very lucky that I have found you. Thank you very much! Merry Christmas !

[@Dariafortepiano]

Thank yo very much for your kind words!🙏🏻 I am so glad I can help you learn the piano! Best of luck for your piano learning journey and Happy Holidays! 👩🏻‍🏫🎹🥳

[@gjeacocke]

Hello Daria! This has been fascinating with the fundamentals. I made the mistake of lifting and not releasing. I need to learn to relax. Unfortunately i have been attempting it this way for 20 years. Do you think 6 months would be enough to unlearn of an hour each day?

[@Dariafortepiano]

Hi, thank you for a great question! I definitely believe you can learn to release, maybe even quicker than 6 months, if you really try to rethink it conceptually and "convince" your hands that it is easier that way. If you can make it become a natural movement. Just make sure you keep focusing on it in any piece or exercise you play. First you just gain the awareness, than the change of habit. :) best of luck!

[@utlohmton7064]

So I actually have a piano keyboard (Yamaha P-45) and I notice that the keys seem much more harder to press compared to a grand piano that I play at my college campus which a slightly lighter. Is this a concern? I find that playing certain piece on the grand is slightly easier to play them on the grand then on my electric keyboard. Thanks and and great video!

[@Dariafortepiano]

Oh. That's is very unusual, I have to say. I remember that p45 is not even a fully weighted keyboard. It's much lighter than a normal upright. It is possible, however, for a grand piano to have very light keys, depending on the brand and year of make. So it is not impossible, what you are describing. Just not typical)

[@greatmusicchannel8549]

Thank Daria, it is very informative video. I have a question for you. Are you giving online lessons??

[@Dariafortepiano]

You are very welcome! Yes, I do teach online. At the moment my availability is very limited, but starting in January I will be more open to new students if you are interested:)

[@greatmusicchannel8549]

@@Dariafortepiano What are the cost of the lesson? and in my case: i am professional pianist but have hand problems and would like to recorrect my position, what is very difficult and no-one could reteach completely. Coul you solve this problem?

[@RafiqueDiwan]

Mam your tutorials is about PIANO N PIANO KEYS ARE WEIGHTED KEYS CAN WE FALLOW THIS TUTORIAL FOR KEYBOARD

[@Askeyz]

I notice after I play for an hour I have pain in my back ? What could I be doing wrong ?

[@Dariafortepiano]

If your back hurts when playing, then first thing I would check posture : are you sitting straight? If yes, maybe that's the pain form not being used to the correct posture for such a prolonged period of time. If no- need to fix the posture and sit straight. The second thing can be raising shoulders, one and /or both. Check for that. Lastly, check how you place your feet, are they sturdy on the floor? If not, then fix the feet. They need to have support, be ause they should hold part of your body weight when playing. Also, check the height of your bench. Feel free to watch the video on sitting position on the channel, to see the proper way to sit. Hope it helps, and hope your pain goes away!🤞

[@Askeyz]

@@Dariafortepiano Thank you I will check all of these things.

[@skrskgs]

Wait, I just watched your video of you playing Chopin - OMG !! I take it back - I will never be able to teach you even after 20 years 😒

[@farzadebdali]

✨️✨️✨️

[@CaptainCaveman782]

Surprisingly this book is not that popular in Russia. Every one of my teachers has been from a Russian music conservatories (mainly Moscow) and although they heard of the book, they tell me they don't use it

[@Dariafortepiano]

You have a point here! I also only learned of this booked when I moved to the U.S. haha. I was educated in St. Petersburg first. My teachers didn't use it either. I personally only use it for adult students, with children I use different books. But the principle of the technique and piano playing that the book gives I still apply in my teaching. So did my teachers. When you start as a child , this book is not very useful because the way it is written , it is not targeting young learners. This is why your teachers from Moscow conservatory didn't need to use it, I suppose, but I might be wrong. I think it's a great book!:)

[@CaptainCaveman782]

Oh don't get me wrong, I think its a fine book indeed. I have used it many times. There are a lot of well thought out exercises in that book. Like a lot of technique books though, a very cautious approach should be taken if one is a self learner and its all too easy to ingrain poor habits, or just basically waste time (i.e. mindlessly rattling through Hanon) . Teacher guidance is essential in my view. I think a great edition to your channel would be a walk though of the exercises in the book as they are not beginner exercises as you say. I feel the explanations are still rather light and at times ambiguous. Also a video provides so much more clarity. It seems like no one on KZbin has done any practical demonstrations on this book (apart from you!)

[@skrskgs]

Daria, you're so beautiful - see ,,,, I wrote that with my fingers relaxed.

[@jamescatchot10]

Damn she's hiding a sick body.

[@BoyTheBlack]

this video was very difficult...you held each position to long for the wrist...I never saw any fluid movements...I was too busy making choppy movements of 1, 2, 3, 4...I just wanted to see you actually play using the fluid movements or how it should actually flow freely...next time, play something simple showing the fluid movements...this video didn't help me...please play the next time and count using those positions...

[@GarysScaryFaeries]

You have to be American.

[@thinkerz8tipitina784]

How can we help you get a camera view on top so learners can actually see the finger contacts and position clearly!

[@Magic-of-life]

I wonder if there are musicians who actually play with a wrist like this 6:20. Looks weird :) Thank you Daria! 🩷

[@Dariafortepiano]

Haha, it does look painful, but believe me I have seen many students ( mainly beginners and early intermediate) who play like that, and not very successfully. It comes from lacking the hand strength.

[@Magic-of-life]

@@Dariafortepiano Дарья, желаю вам удачи, творческих успехов и счастья в наступившем году! Вы замечательная! 💫🥇💝

[@Dariafortepiano]

Спасибо большое за добрые пожелания! 🤗 и вам того же желаю в новом году! 🥳🤞👍

[@Magic-of-life]

@@Dariafortepiano 🥰💫