Proper Body Position when playing the piano

One often overlooked aspect of technique when playing the piano is proper body position. Proper body position at the piano allows for relaxed and efficient playing, which, in turn, help the pianist play for longer periods of time. Here is a checklist of the most important things to check in with when sitting at the piano.

1. Your arms slightly higher than parallel with the keyboard.
2. You only have to be in to the key as far as your shortest finger on a black key. Remember that when we refer to “in” on the piano, we are talking how about how far back on the keyboard we are.
3. Lean forward slightly so that your arms hang where they feel heaviest and
   loosest. This is essential for playing using gravity instead of muscling your way through complex passages.
4. Sit tall as though you are pulled up from the center of your head. This allows for you to breathe freely and keeps tension from building up in the lower back.
5. Sit in the center of the hands in order to distribute the arms evenly. This helps to keep the player from overbalancing and playing one hand louder than the other.
6. Keep your wrists level. Don’t break or collapse them and don’t arch
   them too much. This helps to keep the weight of your arms doing the work instead of your muscles.
7. Keep your arms and hands in one line. Tilt your hand VERY slightly towards your thumb. Again, this helps you keep the weight of your arms doing the work, with the added bonus of keeping the carpal tunnel open.
8. When you play, keep your fingers curved, except for your thumb which
   you will keep straight. To play, release the weight of your arm into your hand. Do not contract in your hand or wrist. When your fingers are bent, it is the most efficient way to use gravity to depress the key.
9. Place your feet parallel and shoulder width apart. This allows for proper balance to keep from playing one hand louder than the other

If you need help, you should consider seeking out a qualified piano instructor to aid you in keeping proper posture.  That way, you can get a set of trained eyes watching this entire checklist for you while you play and, in turn, you’ll enjoy playing the piano for longer periods of time with less fatigue.