Hand Position at the Piano: 5 Foundations of Piano Technique, Part 1

Рет қаралды 13,845

Күн бұрын

This video is an in-depth exploration of hand position at the piano, with suggestions, strategies and exercises you can do at home.
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00:00 Intro
1:33 Bridges and arches
2:00 Hand bones
2:58 Mapping the bones to the hand
4:06 Collapsed hand vs. round arch
5:10 Finding a supported hand position
8:35 Supporting the outside of the hand
10:08 Exercises to shift the hand position
10:51 5th finger
12:44 Thumb
12: 52 Firm fingertips
14:00 3 Technical Principles
🎥 RELATED VIDEOS:
Series Intro: 5 Foundations of Piano Technique Overview: • 5 FOUNDATIONS OF PIANO...
Alignment: • Finger Alignment at th...
How to Stop Over-Curving Your Fingers: • How to Stop Over-Curvi...
Forearm Rotation: • Forearm Rotation at th...
Arm Weight: • Arm Weight Exercises a...
Weight Transfer: • Natural Arm Motion at ...
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Пікірлер: 69

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 жыл бұрын

If you could change just ONE thing about your technique, what would it be? Leave your answer in the comments!

@ginagenis6824 Жыл бұрын

If I could change one thing about my technique, it would be more awareness of my seating posture. My back gets tired quickly and then I realize I am hunching.

@cantarinamama Жыл бұрын

Understand what technique is. My teachers never discussed it.

@Linda-learns-piano 7 ай бұрын

My upper back gets tired quickly as well

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 7 ай бұрын

@@Linda-learns-piano This video might help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eMicks6VxL_RaJ8.html

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 7 ай бұрын

@@ginagenis6824 This video might help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eMicks6VxL_RaJ8.html

@TomasWjekan 2 ай бұрын

I really appreciate how you can explain things so clearly without making it feel overwhelming. Ty so much, Professor Boyd

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 ай бұрын

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful!

@tinman1943 4 ай бұрын

I'm an 80 yo who's been trying to play keyboard for an embarrassingly long number of years without ever getting to the point of being able to "sit down and play something." I decided to blow the dust off Burgmüller 25 Etudes and discovered it would be a good place to finally use the wrist rolls my piano teachers talked about. Looking for a refresher, I stumbled on your videos. I'm looking forward to getting my technique in shape, and hoping that will give me confidence that I can actually LEARN something! To answer your question: I don't know what I don't know! What does it take to get to the point you can play SOMETHING on demand that someone would actually enjoy listening to--say "Happy Birthday"--which, besides one's national anthem, must be the most useful song to know.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 4 ай бұрын

Glad you're getting back and enjoying the piano! If you want to have something to share, I suggest picking a few pieces and working on them consistently for a while. Make sure they're the right level for you and keep at it! Good luck!

@user-zk4js3xf7r 4 ай бұрын

Thanks @@ThePianoProfKateBoyd for the reply. The "for a while" part of your comment is definitely more than one week--more like daily for a few months! Which doesn't fit well into the typical weekly lesson paradigm. I'm surprised none of my teachers ever made a point of developing a "performance repertoire"--even though they did hold recitals. All the emphasis was on the next new piece/technique, which of course was never mastered before going on to yet another one.

@user-he5ym3cf6e 18 күн бұрын

This is a fabulous presentation and explanation that translates well to beginning or young students. Thank you for much!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 8 күн бұрын

Wonderful - thanks so much!

@krushmut Жыл бұрын

I am a self-learner and developed bad playing habits, leading to minor injuries. I have been looking for different resources to address my issues. Your "Foundations of Piano Technique" playlist helped me to fix my problems! Thank you very much!

@Kenrodz85 5 ай бұрын

Thank you. I'll try these.

@Frank-in-NY Жыл бұрын

Excellent, I think this is just what I need. Thanks Kate!

@fredericassaf 4 ай бұрын

This is the chopin technique for sure 😍❤️

@jakilevi3027 4 ай бұрын

I just discovered your videos and immediately started using your advice with my own students.I can't thank you enough I believe that with your advice I will be able to raise the level of my intermediate students and teach beginners a lot better too. Many thanks.

@lynnanderson1326 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I finally understand!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Great! Glad it helped!!

@rogercarroll2551 2 жыл бұрын

This makes great sense.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I hope you find it useful in your own playing!

@virginiahouser1060 Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation on this foundational piano topic! Keep up the good work!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly!

@sj4177 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 4 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

@embrown23 3 ай бұрын

I love these videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!

@ginagenis6824 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this indepth explanation on hand positions. I have been looking for a guide like this for a while.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@cody31 Жыл бұрын

Superb teaching. Your channel is like a goldmine. Knowledge is power. Herzlichen Dank!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 11 ай бұрын

Thanks! 😃

@dunnkruger8825 3 ай бұрын

Thanks

@rickfiddler133 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your guidance. Self learning through apps and so enjoy your professional assistance. Kind regards

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

@josephinebrown6631 Жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly🤍

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome 😊

@AndresFigari 2 жыл бұрын

This video really helped my pinkys!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 жыл бұрын

Great!! So glad you found it helpful. 🎹 🔥 😊

@gregorprozesky Жыл бұрын

Very good explanation. Thank you very much. I hope you give more instructions about Mr. Dohnanyi.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Thank you - I am definitely planning on finishing the series!

@Linda-learns-piano 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, Dr. Kate. I can appreciate your channel as I don't believe any other Piano channels talk solely about hand and finger positions. I am a 61-year-old who spent a career in the military as a nurse always wanting to play piano. I started at a community college2023 and am in my third semester of piano and theory. Thank you for educating. I think I missed my calling.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad you're here. Keep up the good work!

@Linda-learns-piano 7 ай бұрын

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd thank you I taught nursing in addition to working at the bedside so honestly I can appreciate that you are a straightforward educator, it's no wonder you teach at a university. Your students are so lucky. Perhaps you can also do some exercises and tricks for playing mezzoforte in one hand, and pianissimo in another hand

@kiralighto2573 Жыл бұрын

Dear Prof i love you for your Gold content

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊 Glad you're here!

@skriabinlover 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the time and effort of making this and other videos, Professor Kate. They are of excellent quality - some of the best here on KZfaq. Wish I had such a competent teacher when I was learning to play piano years ago. Do you have any advice or exercises for collapsing first finger knuckles (those closest to the nails)?

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 7 ай бұрын

No specific exercises but just focusing on good hand position, not overcurving and playing very slowly to make sure you are supporting that knuckle.

@skriabinlover 6 ай бұрын

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you for taking the time to answer my question 💛

@antoniomaccagnan7200 Жыл бұрын

Great explanation, shows a lot of forethought and effort into truly showing the principles behind the rules. As for your question, at the moment I still don't really have a "technique" to speak of (been playing just one month) but I would say getting a good sound when I play chords with black keys and the fingers playing the white keys are forward between the black keys. The sound I get is still awful.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

Do your fingers get caught between the black keys? If that's the case, you're going to need to curve your fingers enough that they play just on the outside of the black keys. Or is it a different issue?

@antoniomaccagnan7200 Жыл бұрын

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Hi, one month passed (so I have been playing for 8 weeks LOL), and my fingers are getting more used to finding their way around the keys. Now I'm starting to focus on the feel of the sound rather than just pressing the right key.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

@@antoniomaccagnan7200 Wonderful! Congrats on your progress! Eyes-closed practice can be really helpful here, too. Have fun, and happy practicing!

@jozam11 2 жыл бұрын

i'm learning by myself. i've seen every a big amount of videos of piano technique, hand position, finger attack, taubman method, rotation, etc . And you are the best explaining this topics. You actually explain how to do it, and to know whem you are doing it. I'm understanding every technique topic, even though I'm still getting used to the new feel. one question, when you use arm weight correctly, how does the thumb feel? You let the thumb "rest" on the key? When i say "rest", I mean the arm weight rest on the thumb, with a natural thumb position with good finger alignment. Sorry for my English. greetings from Colombia!

@jozam11 2 жыл бұрын

I'm still*

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you watching, and for your comment! The thumb would be a great topic for another video - I'll start thinking about that! Regarding the thumb and its use in tandem with concepts of arm weight and weight transfer (being at the bottom and surface of the key), the best short answer I can give you is to say that the thumb acts the same as the other fingers. Avoid dropping your wrist to play the thumb (unless you happen to be dropping into the keys on that note), and keep your thumb relaxed and resting on the key. If you see a sharp outward curve in your thumb (curving away from your hand), that means it's probably tense and you should work on relaxing it. I hope this is helpful - and thanks again for the idea to make a video about the thumb!

@jozam11 2 жыл бұрын

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Awesomee! thanks.

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd 2 жыл бұрын

@josue zambrano: Check out today's video. I hope this answers some of your questions about the thumb: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a8-PdKuplc-mdoU.html

@hannahka6263 Жыл бұрын

I have got a question to the exercise of the muscle of the side. When you tap your pinky on the piano lid, does the wrist rest on the lid or not? Thank you very much!

@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Жыл бұрын

When I read your comment, I sat here for a few minutes and tapped my pinky to check..... When I do it, I'm resting the arm on the big muscle of my thumb, but the bottom of the wrist is not flat against the table. The key thing is to not collapse my hand toward the pinky. So, my forearm and thumb are resting on the table, along with my other fingertips, while the top of my wrist is flat. Sometimes writing is more cumbersome than showing - I hope that answers your question! 😊

@hannahka6263 Жыл бұрын

great! Thank you so much! 🙂

@wormtownpaul 7 ай бұрын

I am a beginner. Where on the white keys should your fingers be touching and depressing. If i watch what you are doing with an arched hand and try to do the same, i find that my fingers are depressing the thin part of the white key, which doesn't give me as much leverage as depressing the wide part of the key. But if i have my fingers touching the wide part of the key, my hand tends to lose its arch and become scrunched up. Any help appreciated.