You're very welcome! Yes, piano playing is a flexible art. WHAT we wish to express always comes first. HOW we do it (posture, technique etc.) is a consequence of that. There are obviously general rules based on the physiology of the human body - but these rules exist to empower us (and offer us more freedom of expression) - definitely not to constrict us :). Enjoy your practice! ;)
It is so nice of you ma'am that you are have replyed to almost everyone even though this video is more than 10 years old. Also the video was very insightful and helped me a lot. Thank you
You're very welcome! ;) Besides incorrect posture, another cause of arm tiredness can be an incorrect key attack (playing from the separate movement of your fingers, without involving the arms in the process and without relaxing the wrists). Good luck! ;)
i learned how to play piano from your videos. i want to thank you for all that you've put out there to help people like me who don't currently have time for a teacher. I actually already wrote a song after about 1.5 months of playing and learning from your videos. I provided a video response with the song in case you're curious to listen. thanks again
Thank you for the video, I’m a beginner at piano, I used to take pianos lessons a few years ago but I didn’t get very far and the lessons were quite expensive. Now I’ve been trying to get back into playing the piano, I’ve been learning tutorials from UA-cam and this video really helped me! 💖
I've watched quite a few videos that conflict with that which is in writing. This is the first that tells me to have my elbows slightly higher that the keyboard. I find that to be the most comfortable position
Hi Milt! The higher the elbows - the more leverage we have while playing, and the easier it is to channel weight into the keys. Yes, the 'default' position is to align the elbows with the keys. However, for people with light bones (such as myself) the extra leverage is a great advantage. The exact 'angle' is not important (as long as the elbows are not BELOW the keys). What matters is comfort, freedom of movement and energy-efficient playing :).
I've been playing the piano for about 2 years (I got the money to buy a digital piano, but unfortunatelly not classes) and I'm self taught. I suddenly see this video and realize that all these 2 years of practice were done in a wrong way. I finally can "feel" the piano, instead of just playing the notes. Thank you teacher!
Very helpful! You are absolutely correct about one of the most crucial things being a positive attitude. I'm sure that every single one of us has had times where we've tried to play while not in a very good mood and our playing is just terrible as a result. I really like the analogy of visualising a dome underneath the fingers. That's very useful to figure out the correct shape to play with. Overall, I think my biggest obstacle is tension. I'm often catching myself being too rigid and tight when I play. Thanks for the video :)
Very interesting. I deal with posture (Ergonomics), as regards office desks/keyboards and I recognised many years ago, having your elbows 'LEVEL', with the top of the work surface, as oft recommended by Best Practice Guides, will cause wrist-curl and ultimately, turtle-necking. However, by raising your chair to whereby your elbow is approximately 2/3 cm above the working surface, gravity enables your shoulders to properly relax and align by your torso and you can then exert adequate leverage and purchase upon the keyboard. Its just a great deal more comfortable and comfort, breeds concentration. An interesting and apt simile then.
Beautifully explained. I'm going for piano classes and completed nearly 6 sessions, my teacher expects me to figure out such details. Wish someone could explain like you do in my classes. I'm learning more from online tutorials like this. Thank you for the posting this video.
You're very welcome! I'm really happy that you enjoyed this tutorial! ;) By the way, you can find many hundreds of other detailed tutorials (including step-by-step Courses) in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
I came to see the correct piano posture, I stayed because of how beautiful you are and then I fell in love when you started to talk about nobility. For sure we need some technique but in the end, it is all about playing with honesty, nobility, and love, and that is what brings people to a higher state of consciousness. Thank you.
Thank you, Eefun! This is actually my very first video tutorial - and what a journey it has been! 😊 11 years (and almost 1000 tutorials) later, PianoCareerAcademy is going strong! 😎
This video is EXACTLY what I've been searching for and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. I've recently begun to teach myself how to play (as a hobby), and the couple of books I've bought don't necessarily go in depth about the little things that end up being super important like elbow & wrist positioning. So thank you! I will be queuing up all your videos right now. :)
theuniverseisinme You're very welcome! :) By the way, you can learn how to play piano from scratch, in an enjoyable progressive manner, by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (that you can find in the Members Area at PianoCareerAcademy.com). More info about this Course (and the functionality of my Piano Coaching Program) in our super-detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - focusing on questions No. 17 and 18 (about the Course for Beginners) and No. 1 and 2 (about what is included in the membership). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
I studied piano from age 9 to 15, besides casually sitting down to play every now and then during my high school years, I stopped dedicatedly playing. I truly regret that I didn't stay on top of it. Now, at age 23, i've started playing again and this video helped me with the essential steps to take before even making a sound with the instrument, so thank you!
You're very welcome, Nathan! I'm happy that you enjoyed your video - and I wish you lots of good luck in resuming your practice! Enjoy every step of the way!!! :)
Hello and many thanks for the great video! I have just purchased my first digital piano and would like to get things right from the start. The piano was supplied with a fixed height stand and variable height stool. If I raise the stool so that my elbows a parallel with the keyboard my feet no longer touch the floor, however if I lower the stool my elbows are below the keys. How bad is it if your feet are too high or would it be best just to purchase a lower stand? Many thanks for your help :-)
Hi Anthony! Yes, ideally you would have to get a lower stand. Your stand was probably designed for playing while standing up (which many pop/rock musicians do). There's also another (temporary) solution: placing your feet on a special block (so that they are well-grounded). However, in this case you won't be able to use the pedal (so this is not a good long-term solution).
Thank you for very nice and clear tips. I have problem in right wrist, because of preparin my entrance examination, perhaps in a "wrong" way. Tomorrow I'll watch again your video before I start practicing. :)
I'm happy to see that I can just use a chair to play. I see alot of pianists saying you need that 200$ adjustable bench, which I was trying to avoid. Thank you for the lesson. I'm just starting out. :)
+Vincent Awaree You're very welcome! Yes, there are many ways of adjusting the height of a bench/chair - and while adjustable benches are obviously very comfortable, they are definitely not the only option. Enjoy your practice - and don't miss my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (which you can find in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com).
Thank you for your helpful video. I still have a few questions if you (or anyone reading) have the time... Where should I sit in relation to middle C? Should I always sit in the same position relative to middle C so that I get better muscle memory of where each note is, or should I move around based on the range of the piece I'm playing? I'm only playing 5 octave baroque pieces, but sometimes my left arm is slightly blocked by my body if I'm playing above middle C in the left hand, does that mean I'm sitting too close?
Hi! I prefer to align myself with the middle D, but C is fine as well. Yes, always sit in the middle of the instrument - unless the ENTIRE piece is played in the high or low register (which often happens in 4-hands piano duets). In that case, align yourself with the middle range of the 'keyboard area' covered in the piece. And, the most important thing - do NOT sit too close to the instrument! Your elbows should be in FRONT of your torso (not glued to your sides). You need wide angles in your elbows and wrists - and full range of motion. I have detailed videos on all these topics in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com. You can also take a look at this free article (pay special attention to the pictures): www.pianocareer.com/piano-posture/the-piano-posture-and-the-energy-of-the-sound/
Thank you very much for this video, I've bookmarked your website and will be using it frequently! The information here is really useful right away and it helped me instantly. Unfortunately I have to act as my own teacher right now and your help is invaluable to me.
Great video! As I'm mostly self-taught I suffer from some bad habits when it comes to technique. I recently discovered that I tend to bend my fingers upwards when I play chords in the left hand (mostly jazz comping). I have a hard time correcting this -- it feels like I'm starting all over again. However, doing that waving motion with the wrist, hand and arm in between chords actually helps. Thank you for this vid!
+Mikael Flarup Bagger Hi Mikael! I'm happy that this tutorial was helpful! ;) Make sure you also watch my more recent free UA-cam tutorials, for example ua-cam.com/video/U_hATjiqb2g/v-deo.html or ua-cam.com/video/__SiXXnaYOY/v-deo.html. You can also learn how to play piano correctly, in a professional ergonomic manner, by watching my tutorials at PianoCareerAcademy.com. Find out more about the functionality of this program by reading our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
This was super helpful! I wasn't aware of some things that I was doing wrong and started feeling pain in my hands (again, after many years ago when I first encountered carpal tunnel syndrome.) I'm gonna watch my posture closely but after practicing a bit according to your tips, it already feels so much better! Thank you
Hi Petra! My pleasure! I'm really happy to hear that this video was helpful! By the way, you can also read my free article on this topic (how to get rid of piano-related tension and pain) - it is the answer to question No. 31 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). I hope it helps! :)
firstly, you have a lovely accent..secondly, nice video and very simple instructions..thirdly, you r very beautiful and the grace you have while playing is amazing ...so to sum up, thank you for the video.
Thank you very much. I am just starting the piano after playing the guitar for 40 years. (Yep! I am pretty old. lol) My question is 'do any of these tips change if you use a digital piano?' I love the way you can conduct energy from your whole body into the piano. But I don't know whether it would work for the digital piano. I bought a Korg Kronos. I do not have access to a grand piano so I will begin my piano journey on the Kronos. What do you think?
Hi! Yes, all these tips do apply to digital pianos! Tips No. 1-4 are essential for your comfort (regardless of the type of instrument you play); tip No. 5 is very important as well on ANY instrument with a weighted mechanism (including a digital one). I even recommend to use whole-arm action, weighted playing and arm/wrist relaxation/flexibility on electronic keyboards WITHOUT weight simulation (so that students can always switch to an acoustic piano without having to change their entire technique).
thank you so much!! this is so detailed, every video i watched wasnt very detailed so i always played with the wrong posture. i'll try this tomorrow when i have time!
Battle fingers ready for Relaxed Cat Battle!! I like how you include examples from masters of the past. On the topic of 'straight back', I have heard people - yoga teachers, other 'body-mind' people - talk about 'long' or 'tall' back/ spine instead of a 'straight' one, because for some, especially men, a 'straight' back means a tense militaristic posture and possibly attitude. The structure of the spine itself contains 'healthy curves' in its optimal alignment (as I'm sure you know.) However I think you make it crystal clear that overall the physical and mental attitude should be 'relaxed,' "after that comes everything else"! Thanks for another great lesson! :)
Hi Justin! Thank you for sharing these terms - they are excellent! :)) Back in 2011 (when this video was recorded) my English vocabulary had some limits LOL, and I'm constantly working to correct that. Thank you so much for your appreciation! :))
this is great Ms. Illica your website is really informative, however I have a problem my wrist is hurting...the outside of the wrist in my right hand...is their anything you can suggest to help me... thank you btw this is really helpful.
Thank you this helped me. I recently bought a proper piano bench and was glad to be able to sit higher than my office chair but I had some back pains after a few mins of playing.. I'll keep your tips in mind while I figure out the right height and posture.
Hi Gilbert! I'm happy this video was helpful! :) By the way, if you experience pain while playing, I recommend watching my recent free tutorial focused on avoiding piano injuries: www.pianocareer.com/piano-health/avoid-piano-injuries/. You will discover several other important elements of a healthy technique that are not related to posture (and are not covered in the video above).
Oh! Don't mention it, Ma'am. Thank YOU for taking time and effort in sharing what you have, being an inspiration and a teacher!👌 Hope you continue and never get tired. Best of luck, Madam!
@WilsonS Thank you! ;) I'm glad I could help! Thanks also for sharing your piece - it's beautiful!!! You can play so well only after 1.5 months of practicing? Great job!!!! :))) Little tip: don't forget about the 'gradual' key attack and make sure that your sound is both deep and soft! Always 'press' the keys - never 'strike' them! Also, pay more attention to wrist relaxation and flexibility ;) Good luck!!!
Hey, great video. I have a little problem that the joint closest to my fingertips has a habit of collapsing slightly backwards. Is this bad for playing? If so can you please explain why?
Great video and great playing. Thank you for the advice, this is going to help me a lot as I learn. Also you're very well spoken and look gorgeous, by the way!
Ilinca, Thank you so much for your generous online lessons. I have only been playing for 11 years, but that's enough time to develop some bad habits. Concentrating on some of the elusively rudimentary instructions you present has brought me forward as a pianist in the last 8 months or so. Have you ever considered a video conference lesson where you would be able to respond to questions rapidly and demonstrate answers?
Thank you! :) 'Reply to piano questions' and 'rapidly' are two mutually exclusive concepts when it comes to professional piano playing LOL - because quality and speed don't like each other much, especially when it comes to such a complex art as ours. That's why on PianoCareerAcademy.com (my Piano Coaching Program), I focus on creating in-depth, detailed, very comprehensive video tutorials (many of them being inspired from the questions of my online students). We also have MasterClasses very often - where my students share recordings and I offer detailed video feedbacks to their playing (and all our members can watch the MasterClasses and participate in discussions). You're always welcome to join our community! ;)
Thank you very much! Physical strain is not needed if we use ergonomic techniques (and pre-hearing). I teach how to do all this on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
I have been playing the piano for 7 years by ear and last year I have started to read music because I wanted to learn it but still it was difficult for me and I was not having hope in myself but I said one day to myself, I cant leave all the practice that I did for the love of the piano that I have and with this video Im learning a lot of things, there one particular song that I like and is "Fantasie Impromptu of Chopin op 66 Im actually trying to learn this masterpiece by ear and I know is so difficult but I really love that song thank you so much
Hi! I'm happy that you enjoy my tutorials! :) I have good news for you: learning musical notation is very easy and fun if done correctly :). On the other hand, learning advanced masterpieces by ear is definitely NOT a good idea. I recommend learning musical notation in an enjoyable progressive manner - by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com). This Course will help you to develop ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. Find out more about this Course (and about the functionality of my Piano Coaching Program) by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to the Beginner Course), No. 18 (where I explain how important it is to learn musical notation), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
PianoCareer I'm used to play by ear and is actually the method that I use almost all the time because I find it more easier but im learning in a wrong way ahahah but yes you are right is not a good idea because reading music, and having control, speed, accuracy with my hands are also very important, I will check more on your website thank you for your advice
hello - based on the lovely short ( often too short) peices you demonstrate on piano - you seem to have a very large classical repertoire, can i ask how long you have been playing for ??? - btw - you present your classes in such fantastic detail and enthusiasm - your a great great teacher miss !! Thank you !
Hi! Thank you for your appreciation! :) I am a professional pianist with 27 years of piano experience :))). You can find out more about me on my blog - www.pianocareer.com/about/
Very helpful tips. The video talks about sitting on a bench but shows a chair. In a concert you see pianist on a bench (especially adjustable type). Is it better to sit on a bench?
Yes, it is much better to sit on a special piano bench (making sure you adjust it by using the height/distance criteria I share in the video). However, if a bench is not available, using a chair is ok as well - the important thing is to adjust its height so that it is not too low (you can use a stack of scores for this purpose, or any other support that feels comfortable and stable). In the video above, there was no piano bench available in that studio, so I used a special 'conductor's chair' (which is higher than normal chairs).
Really helpful video, watched it a couple of times now, thanks! I'm a beginner and struggling with the relaxation as my elbows and shoulders tend to quickly tense up once I start playing.. Do you have any general advice/tips or perhaps useful exercises on relaxation?
Hi! I recommend reading my detailed free article dedicated to piano-related tension and pain - it's my answer to question No. 31 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck! ;)
It sounds so easy when you talk about it..but I find it pretty hard to find the golden mid between having stable fingers but not allowing any tension...any advice how to avoid tension at all? Most of the time my shoulder area is heavily tensioned :/
Wow, you make it look so effortless, so natural, I wish you would of been my teacher back when I was a kid, I took organ lessons however I never learned proper technique at all, I do the rounded fingers very well but the rest of it, I never really knew much about, I have issues with my tendons and ligaments in my arms at the moment from computer mouse and computer keyboard use for many years, however working on getting that sorted out, once I do, it would be cool to learn your techniques so I can build up my endurance and play with less pain. I am more into techno, house and trance music, not Royal Conservatory or anything like that however technique is technique at the end of the day. Thankyou for the video and I must also say that I could really hear the way you were playing with so much feeling which is very important. My mom plays beautiful piano to and she does something called the Flop ( I think that's what its called, she has her Grade 8 in World Conservatory and teaches music as well however she started teaching Piano and Organ when I was already finished with music lessons and wasn't really interested in taking anymore at the time as I had ventured into Drumming at the time. something I also hope to do again! ) My dream is to do music one day, remix music, produce music and DJ all around the world and I would love to be able to have flowing arms and hands and fingers like you do... So important !!!! By the way you are absolutely gorgeous... Thankyou for the video! Cheers, Jason
oh I see - and i must add - you are Russian, but your English is also very very good - you speak expressively and intelligently in all your videos that i've seen. Have you lived abroad for a time possibly ?? Speaking a second language myself, I'm amazed that one could master another language as well as you do, without spending a lot of time abroad to develop it. Anyway, I think your maybe an exceptional person - i know you inspire me ( not just my piano playing) , thank you !!!
Thank you! :) English is my third language (I speak 5 in total) - and I learned it by myself :))). However, I also travel a lot, so in the end it's all about regular, consistent practice (just like in piano playing). Also, it's impossible to master a language without reading a lot (I currently read only in English, because this is my work language and I need to keep it in top shape :)).
After years of poor piano posture I recently discovered the importance of keeping my back straight while playing. I grew up hunching over the piano and neither of my long-time teachers ever corrected me. No wonder I didn't practice enough - my back was aching and I was playing with way too much effort since I was putting too much weight in my hands! I just played for an hour and a half without fatigue simply from sitting up straight!
Chris Shotwell Hi Chris! I'm happy that my tutorial was helpful - and that you discovered how important a straight back is, no matter if we talk about piano playing or life in general :). Besides being pain-free, ergonomic practice is also the most efficient way of achieving great expressiveness and a brilliant technique. Good luck and keep the spirit! ;)
Even in the correct position my lower and top back hurts a lot after 30 min. practicing, that's the only thing thayt limit me, can someone tell what it could be?
Mario - it could be a medical issue such as lordosis or scoliosis, or maybe a disc hernia. It would be a good idea to speak to your doctor about it :).
Thank You for this video! I have a problem since im very tall (1,90) i still can't find the perfect comfort position of my right feet on the pedal... long legs ... the most confutable position i am to far from the keyboard... i love your lessons!
+Joao Ferrand Thank you, Joao! ;) By the way, regarding your height - you might find this useful (it's my reply to a similar question posted on my blog, PianoCareer.com): www.pianocareer.com/piano-posture/the-piano-posture-and-the-energy-of-the-sound/comment-page-1/#comment-640
I'm amazed at how gracious you look when you play the piano :O Have you been playing for a long time? I started just a few weeks ago and my posture is terrible. I tried following your advice, but I don't seem to find the perfect middle between tension and relaxed xD I'm used to slouching so when i try to keep my back as straight as possible my arms tend to lock (And it looks like I swallowed a flagpole or something) but when I try to reduce the tension my back becomes curved. XD Also, my back starts hurting terribly in the bottom center after a while of being too straight :O I don't have a Grand piano, only a 61-key keyboard :O
+Mylène Dubhé (Myli) Hi! Thank you! I'm a professional pianist and piano teacher, and I have almost 30 years of piano experience :). You can find out more about my piano degrees and experience by reading the answer to question No. 27 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). If you want to learn how to play piano correctly, from scratch (including all the elements of an ergonomic and painless posture and key attack), I recommend following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area at PianoCareerAcademy.com). You can find out more about this course by reading answer No. 17 from the FAQs. Regarding your keyboard - find out more by reading answer No. 24. You can learn more about PianoCareerAcademy.com and its functionality by reading answers No. 1-6 :). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
Hello, your video is so helpful!! I have a question about finger joints. Does the second joint of the pinky need to come out? I heard from some teacher that only the first joint and the knuckle need to come out. The second joint is not that important as long as it does not collapse.
Hi! The way we keep our pinkies depends on what type of structure/layout we play. In its 'default' position, the 5th finger is almost straight (the knuckle never collapses). Out fingers should never be too 'curled' - but the exact angle of each finger joint (how much it 'comes out') depends on a lot of factors (which I cannot describe in a short comment). However, this entire topic (the exact 'curvature' of each finger) is not very relevant: once you learn how to use whole-arm action correctly, and play in a weighted manner, the fingers will naturally assume the most ergonomic and comfortable position - adapting to the exact 'topography' of every passage, interval, chord etc. :).
Now this is a really really good video, thanks! Also do you have any tips on improving mind muscle connection to the left hand pinky? every finger feels relaxed and good, but the left pink allways seems to be either wonky or tensed.
Thank you, Rick! Involuntary muscular tension is a habit that can be corrected. The important thing is to take it slowly and re-build your technique one step at a time, starting with easy non-legato exercises. I have many detailed tutorials on this topic on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
Hi piano teacher,thanks for your answer.May I know where is your school?Do you know any good teacher like you inToronto?Your help is really appreciated.
+Jenny Ding Hi again Jenny! Simply read the FAQs I recommended in my previous reply (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - you will find out that PianoCareerAcademy.com is an ONLINE Piano Coaching Program - therefore you can join to matter where you live :). No, I unfortunately I don't know anyone in Toronto :).
This video drastically changed my playing.Watched the video atleast thrice.Thank you.
Butterfly Studios You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! :)))
As a perfectionist, it really helps hearing that these things don't have to be so precise. A "golden zone" is much more manageable. Thank you.
You're very welcome! Yes, piano playing is a flexible art. WHAT we wish to express always comes first. HOW we do it (posture, technique etc.) is a consequence of that. There are obviously general rules based on the physiology of the human body - but these rules exist to empower us (and offer us more freedom of expression) - definitely not to constrict us :). Enjoy your practice! ;)
It is so nice of you ma'am that you are have replyed to almost everyone even though this video is more than 10 years old.
Also the video was very insightful and helped me a lot. Thank you
My pleasure, Raghav! I do my best to reply to all my UA-cam videos - including the oldest ones :).
So clear, so straightforward, no stress!!! I love these videos!!! Well done!
You're very welcome! ;) Besides incorrect posture, another cause of arm tiredness can be an incorrect key attack (playing from the separate movement of your fingers, without involving the arms in the process and without relaxing the wrists). Good luck! ;)
i learned how to play piano from your videos. i want to thank you for all that you've put out there to help people like me who don't currently have time for a teacher. I actually already wrote a song after about 1.5 months of playing and learning from your videos. I provided a video response with the song in case you're curious to listen.
thanks again
Thank you for the video, I’m a beginner at piano, I used to take pianos lessons a few years ago but I didn’t get very far and the lessons were quite expensive. Now I’ve been trying to get back into playing the piano, I’ve been learning tutorials from UA-cam and this video really helped me! 💖
I'm happy to hear that! Enjoy your practice! ;)
I'm a violinist who is trying to improve my poor piano technique during quarantine - so I was really happy when I heard a fews notes of the Chaconne!
Hi Ivan! Yes, I absolutely love the Chaconne - I played Busoni's transcription many years ago :).
We used your video today in our Piano Class! Thank you for posting!
Awesome! You're very welcome! :)))
Thank you - I'm really glad that you liked my tutorial! ;)
I've watched quite a few videos that conflict with that which is in writing. This is the first that tells me to have my elbows slightly higher that the keyboard. I find that to be the most comfortable position
Hi Milt! The higher the elbows - the more leverage we have while playing, and the easier it is to channel weight into the keys. Yes, the 'default' position is to align the elbows with the keys. However, for people with light bones (such as myself) the extra leverage is a great advantage. The exact 'angle' is not important (as long as the elbows are not BELOW the keys). What matters is comfort, freedom of movement and energy-efficient playing :).
I've been playing the piano for about 2 years (I got the money to buy a digital piano, but unfortunatelly not classes) and I'm self taught. I suddenly see this video and realize that all these 2 years of practice were done in a wrong way. I finally can "feel" the piano, instead of just playing the notes. Thank you teacher!
You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Very helpful! You are absolutely correct about one of the most crucial things being a positive attitude. I'm sure that every single one of us has had times where we've tried to play while not in a very good mood and our playing is just terrible as a result. I really like the analogy of visualising a dome underneath the fingers. That's very useful to figure out the correct shape to play with. Overall, I think my biggest obstacle is tension. I'm often catching myself being too rigid and tight when I play. Thanks for the video :)
You are very welcome, Brendan! Thank you for your appreciation! :)
Very interesting. I deal with posture (Ergonomics), as regards office desks/keyboards and I recognised many years ago, having your elbows 'LEVEL', with the top of the work surface, as oft recommended by Best Practice Guides, will cause wrist-curl and ultimately, turtle-necking.
However, by raising your chair to whereby your elbow is approximately 2/3 cm above the working surface, gravity enables your shoulders to properly relax and align by your torso and you can then exert adequate leverage and purchase upon the keyboard. Its just a great deal more comfortable and comfort, breeds concentration.
An interesting and apt simile then.
this video is so clear that i am speechless.
Your English vocabulary is excellent! Very clear instruction, thanks!
Beautifully explained. I'm going for piano classes and completed nearly 6 sessions, my teacher expects me to figure out such details. Wish someone could explain like you do in my classes. I'm learning more from online tutorials like this. Thank you for the posting this video.
You're very welcome! I'm really happy that you enjoyed this tutorial! ;) By the way, you can find many hundreds of other detailed tutorials (including step-by-step Courses) in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
I came to see the correct piano posture, I stayed because of how beautiful you are and then I fell in love when you started to talk about nobility. For sure we need some technique but in the end, it is all about playing with honesty, nobility, and love, and that is what brings people to a higher state of consciousness. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Slobodan! ;)
It’s amazing, I got good learning from your video 11 years ago!
Thank you, Eefun! This is actually my very first video tutorial - and what a journey it has been! 😊 11 years (and almost 1000 tutorials) later, PianoCareerAcademy is going strong! 😎
Very good video to guide me to learn playing piano.I like it so much! Thanks for your teaching !
+Jenny Ding You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! :)))
Thank you from Spain!
You're so, so clear!
This video is EXACTLY what I've been searching for and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. I've recently begun to teach myself how to play (as a hobby), and the couple of books I've bought don't necessarily go in depth about the little things that end up being super important like elbow & wrist positioning.
So thank you! I will be queuing up all your videos right now. :)
theuniverseisinme You're very welcome! :) By the way, you can learn how to play piano from scratch, in an enjoyable progressive manner, by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (that you can find in the Members Area at PianoCareerAcademy.com). More info about this Course (and the functionality of my Piano Coaching Program) in our super-detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - focusing on questions No. 17 and 18 (about the Course for Beginners) and No. 1 and 2 (about what is included in the membership). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
I studied piano from age 9 to 15, besides casually sitting down to play every now and then during my high school years, I stopped dedicatedly playing. I truly regret that I didn't stay on top of it. Now, at age 23, i've started playing again and this video helped me with the essential steps to take before even making a sound with the instrument, so thank you!
You're very welcome, Nathan! I'm happy that you enjoyed your video - and I wish you lots of good luck in resuming your practice! Enjoy every step of the way!!! :)
Hello and many thanks for the great video! I have just purchased my first digital piano and would like to get things right from the start.
The piano was supplied with a fixed height stand and variable height stool.
If I raise the stool so that my elbows a parallel with the keyboard my feet no longer touch the floor, however if I lower the stool my elbows are below the keys.
How bad is it if your feet are too high or would it be best just to purchase a lower stand? Many thanks for your help :-)
Hi Anthony! Yes, ideally you would have to get a lower stand. Your stand was probably designed for playing while standing up (which many pop/rock musicians do). There's also another (temporary) solution: placing your feet on a special block (so that they are well-grounded). However, in this case you won't be able to use the pedal (so this is not a good long-term solution).
Thank you for very nice and clear tips. I have problem in right wrist, because of preparin my entrance examination, perhaps in a "wrong" way. Tomorrow I'll watch again your video before I start practicing. :)
I'm happy to see that I can just use a chair to play. I see alot of pianists saying you need that 200$ adjustable bench, which I was trying to avoid. Thank you for the lesson. I'm just starting out. :)
+Vincent Awaree You're very welcome! Yes, there are many ways of adjusting the height of a bench/chair - and while adjustable benches are obviously very comfortable, they are definitely not the only option. Enjoy your practice - and don't miss my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (which you can find in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com).
Thank you for your helpful video. I still have a few questions if you (or anyone reading) have the time... Where should I sit in relation to middle C? Should I always sit in the same position relative to middle C so that I get better muscle memory of where each note is, or should I move around based on the range of the piece I'm playing? I'm only playing 5 octave baroque pieces, but sometimes my left arm is slightly blocked by my body if I'm playing above middle C in the left hand, does that mean I'm sitting too close?
Hi! I prefer to align myself with the middle D, but C is fine as well. Yes, always sit in the middle of the instrument - unless the ENTIRE piece is played in the high or low register (which often happens in 4-hands piano duets). In that case, align yourself with the middle range of the 'keyboard area' covered in the piece. And, the most important thing - do NOT sit too close to the instrument! Your elbows should be in FRONT of your torso (not glued to your sides). You need wide angles in your elbows and wrists - and full range of motion. I have detailed videos on all these topics in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com. You can also take a look at this free article (pay special attention to the pictures): www.pianocareer.com/piano-posture/the-piano-posture-and-the-energy-of-the-sound/
Thank you very much for this video, I've bookmarked your website and will be using it frequently! The information here is really useful right away and it helped me instantly. Unfortunately I have to act as my own teacher right now and your help is invaluable to me.
Great video! As I'm mostly self-taught I suffer from some bad habits when it comes to technique. I recently discovered that I tend to bend my fingers upwards when I play chords in the left hand (mostly jazz comping). I have a hard time correcting this -- it feels like I'm starting all over again. However, doing that waving motion with the wrist, hand and arm in between chords actually helps. Thank you for this vid!
+Mikael Flarup Bagger Hi Mikael! I'm happy that this tutorial was helpful! ;) Make sure you also watch my more recent free UA-cam tutorials, for example ua-cam.com/video/U_hATjiqb2g/v-deo.html or ua-cam.com/video/__SiXXnaYOY/v-deo.html. You can also learn how to play piano correctly, in a professional ergonomic manner, by watching my tutorials at PianoCareerAcademy.com. Find out more about the functionality of this program by reading our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
This was super helpful! I wasn't aware of some things that I was doing wrong and started feeling pain in my hands (again, after many years ago when I first encountered carpal tunnel syndrome.) I'm gonna watch my posture closely but after practicing a bit according to your tips, it already feels so much better! Thank you
Hi Petra! My pleasure! I'm really happy to hear that this video was helpful! By the way, you can also read my free article on this topic (how to get rid of piano-related tension and pain) - it is the answer to question No. 31 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). I hope it helps! :)
Thankyou so mucho for your teaching! I hope to be able to put your advise into practise with my piano.
Wonderful advice, thank you from England.
Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed this video! ;)
firstly, you have a lovely accent..secondly, nice video and very simple instructions..thirdly, you r very beautiful and the grace you have while playing is amazing ...so to sum up, thank you for the video.
I am a 20 years old beginner and I was confused about how i should sit in a proper way. your video helped me a lot thanks ^^
Happy to help! :)
You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! ;)
The middle C is the usual 'center' - but aligning your position with the middle E is ok as well :).
Thank you very much. I am just starting the piano after playing the guitar for 40 years. (Yep! I am pretty old. lol) My question is 'do any of these tips change if you use a digital piano?' I love the way you can conduct energy from your whole body into the piano. But I don't know whether it would work for the digital piano. I bought a Korg Kronos. I do not have access to a grand piano so I will begin my piano journey on the Kronos. What do you think?
Hi! Yes, all these tips do apply to digital pianos! Tips No. 1-4 are essential for your comfort (regardless of the type of instrument you play); tip No. 5 is very important as well on ANY instrument with a weighted mechanism (including a digital one). I even recommend to use whole-arm action, weighted playing and arm/wrist relaxation/flexibility on electronic keyboards WITHOUT weight simulation (so that students can always switch to an acoustic piano without having to change their entire technique).
thank you so much!! this is so detailed, every video i watched wasnt very detailed so i always played with the wrong posture. i'll try this tomorrow when i have time!
You're very welcome! I'm happy to hear that this tutorial was helpful!
Very helpful! Thank you!
I'm so happy it was helpful! 😊
Battle fingers ready for Relaxed Cat Battle!! I like how you include examples from masters of the past.
On the topic of 'straight back', I have heard people - yoga teachers, other 'body-mind' people - talk about 'long' or 'tall' back/ spine instead of a 'straight' one, because for some, especially men, a 'straight' back means a tense militaristic posture and possibly attitude. The structure of the spine itself contains 'healthy curves' in its optimal alignment (as I'm sure you know.) However I think you make it crystal clear that overall the physical and mental attitude should be 'relaxed,' "after that comes everything else"! Thanks for another great lesson! :)
Hi Justin! Thank you for sharing these terms - they are excellent! :)) Back in 2011 (when this video was recorded) my English vocabulary had some limits LOL, and I'm constantly working to correct that. Thank you so much for your appreciation! :))
Thanks Ilinca! Your English was great then LOL
this is great Ms. Illica your website is really informative, however I have a problem my wrist is hurting...the outside of the wrist in my right hand...is their anything you can suggest to help me... thank you btw this is really helpful.
You have a flawless voice ma'am...so calming to be honest. Thanks for the marvelous tutorial video!
You're very welcome! ;)
Very clear and communicative teaching that inspires confidence. You show the full breadth of how music and posture are linked!
Thank you! :)
Thank you! As someone who has been playing piano for 9 years, this video is still extremely valuable.
I'm happy to hear that! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Thank you this helped me. I recently bought a proper piano bench and was glad to be able to sit higher than my office chair but I had some back pains after a few mins of playing.. I'll keep your tips in mind while I figure out the right height and posture.
Hi Gilbert! I'm happy this video was helpful! :) By the way, if you experience pain while playing, I recommend watching my recent free tutorial focused on avoiding piano injuries: www.pianocareer.com/piano-health/avoid-piano-injuries/. You will discover several other important elements of a healthy technique that are not related to posture (and are not covered in the video above).
You're very welcome! ;)
Watching that was relaxing enough already.😉 Will sure keep your advice in mind, though. Thanks!
You're very welcome! ;)
Oh! Don't mention it, Ma'am. Thank YOU for taking time and effort in sharing what you have, being an inspiration and a teacher!👌 Hope you continue and never get tired. Best of luck, Madam!
Thank you! :))
You're welcome! :)
Beautiful advice. Very applicable to all the arts and to do many other things we do in life. Thank you!
Thank you, Rich! :))
@WilsonS Thank you! ;) I'm glad I could help! Thanks also for sharing your piece - it's beautiful!!! You can play so well only after 1.5 months of practicing? Great job!!!! :))) Little tip: don't forget about the 'gradual' key attack and make sure that your sound is both deep and soft! Always 'press' the keys - never 'strike' them! Also, pay more attention to wrist relaxation and flexibility ;) Good luck!!!
Thank you, this video was really helpful for a beginner
I'm really happy to hear that! :) Enjoy your practice!
My forearms get tired easily. I think I have not had proper posture. Your video is invaluable to analysing where my posture is wrong. Thank you!
Hey, great video. I have a little problem that the joint closest to my fingertips has a habit of collapsing slightly backwards. Is this bad for playing? If so can you please explain why?
0:39 headphones magically appear below white wall clock. Thanks so much PianoCareer for a fabulous posture heads-up!
I'm really happy you enjoyed this video! Yes, magic was definitely present in that studio when I was recording! :)))
Thank you, a very generous explanation.
Great video and great playing. Thank you for the advice, this is going to help me a lot as I learn. Also you're very well spoken and look gorgeous, by the way!
Thank you so much for your appreciation! :))
This is awesome! : ) Look forward watching your other videos. Thanks for making all of this. : )
this video is so detailed also it was posted on my birthday omg
Ilinca, Thank you so much for your generous online lessons. I have only been playing for 11 years, but that's enough time to develop some bad habits. Concentrating on some of the elusively rudimentary instructions you present has brought me forward as a pianist in the last 8 months or so. Have you ever considered a video conference lesson where you would be able to respond to questions rapidly and demonstrate answers?
Thank you! :) 'Reply to piano questions' and 'rapidly' are two mutually exclusive concepts when it comes to professional piano playing LOL - because quality and speed don't like each other much, especially when it comes to such a complex art as ours. That's why on PianoCareerAcademy.com (my Piano Coaching Program), I focus on creating in-depth, detailed, very comprehensive video tutorials (many of them being inspired from the questions of my online students). We also have MasterClasses very often - where my students share recordings and I offer detailed video feedbacks to their playing (and all our members can watch the MasterClasses and participate in discussions). You're always welcome to join our community! ;)
You are a ballet dancer on the keyboard. It is remarkable how you can make the piano project sound so well without physical strain. Lovely.
Thank you very much! Physical strain is not needed if we use ergonomic techniques (and pre-hearing). I teach how to do all this on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
You're welcome, Christopher! ;)
beautiful online teacher.
Thank you, I've had trouble with posture, this video helped out greatly.
You're very welcome! I'm happy that this video was helpful for you! :))
Thank you so much for the tips. Now I am sounding much better.
+Alberto Mayer You're very welcome! ;)
This was so helpful! Thank you
You are very welcome! 🥰
you are beautiful. Your teaching is very clear. Thanks
So informative! Best piano ever for beginners. Thank you so much for the video.
You are very welcome! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :)
Thanks, very helpful. God bless you.
Great tutorial! I realize I'm all wrong in my playing!!!! Thank you so much.
I have been playing the piano for 7 years by ear and last year I have started to read music because I wanted to learn it but still it was difficult for me and I was not having hope in myself but I said one day to myself, I cant leave all the practice that I did for the love of the piano that I have and with this video Im learning a lot of things, there one particular song that I like and is "Fantasie Impromptu of Chopin op 66 Im actually trying to learn this masterpiece by ear and I know is so difficult but I really love that song thank you so much
Hi! I'm happy that you enjoy my tutorials! :) I have good news for you: learning musical notation is very easy and fun if done correctly :). On the other hand, learning advanced masterpieces by ear is definitely NOT a good idea. I recommend learning musical notation in an enjoyable progressive manner - by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com). This Course will help you to develop ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. Find out more about this Course (and about the functionality of my Piano Coaching Program) by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to the Beginner Course), No. 18 (where I explain how important it is to learn musical notation), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
PianoCareer I'm used to play by ear and is actually the method that I use almost all the time because I find it more easier but im learning in a wrong way ahahah but yes you are right is not a good idea because reading music, and having control, speed, accuracy with my hands are also very important, I will check more on your website thank you for your advice
hello - based on the lovely short ( often too short) peices you demonstrate on piano - you seem to have a very large classical repertoire, can i ask how long you have been playing for ??? - btw - you present your classes in such fantastic detail and enthusiasm - your a great great teacher miss !!
Thank you !
Hi! Thank you for your appreciation! :) I am a professional pianist with 27 years of piano experience :))). You can find out more about me on my blog - www.pianocareer.com/about/
Hola! You're very welcome! ;)
Thank you! No, I am not Spanish :). Go to my website (first link in description box) to find out more about me :).
Thank you. Nice and clear lesson
Thank you, Ian! ;)
Very helpful tips. The video talks about sitting on a bench but shows a chair. In a concert you see pianist on a bench (especially adjustable type). Is it better to sit on a bench?
Yes, it is much better to sit on a special piano bench (making sure you adjust it by using the height/distance criteria I share in the video). However, if a bench is not available, using a chair is ok as well - the important thing is to adjust its height so that it is not too low (you can use a stack of scores for this purpose, or any other support that feels comfortable and stable). In the video above, there was no piano bench available in that studio, so I used a special 'conductor's chair' (which is higher than normal chairs).
Really helpful video, watched it a couple of times now, thanks! I'm a beginner and struggling with the relaxation as my elbows and shoulders tend to quickly tense up once I start playing.. Do you have any general advice/tips or perhaps useful exercises on relaxation?
Hi! I recommend reading my detailed free article dedicated to piano-related tension and pain - it's my answer to question No. 31 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck! ;)
Thanks for the reply! I will definitely give it a read, thank you!
This is my FAVORITE video of yours so far. :)
Thanks! ;)
It sounds so easy when you talk about it..but I find it pretty hard to find the golden mid between having stable fingers but not allowing any tension...any advice how to avoid tension at all? Most of the time my shoulder area is heavily tensioned :/
Brilliant thank you
You're very welcome! :)
Thank you so much for this free + valuable information
You are very welcome! Thank you for your comment! ;)
Wow ! Great ! Love everything you talked about !
Thanks so much!
Thank you for a proper and detailed explanation. Fantastic
You're very welcome! I'm happy you enjoyed it! 🥰
Спасибо, очень аргументированный и полезный сюжет .Огромное спасибо !
You are very welcome! I'm really happy you enjoyed this video! 😊
Wow, you make it look so effortless, so natural, I wish you would of been my teacher back when I was a kid, I took organ lessons however I never learned proper technique at all, I do the rounded fingers very well but the rest of it, I never really knew much about, I have issues with my tendons and ligaments in my arms at the moment from computer mouse and computer keyboard use for many years, however working on getting that sorted out, once I do, it would be cool to learn your techniques so I can build up my endurance and play with less pain. I am more into techno, house and trance music, not Royal Conservatory or anything like that however technique is technique at the end of the day. Thankyou for the video and I must also say that I could really hear the way you were playing with so much feeling which is very important. My mom plays beautiful piano to and she does something called the Flop ( I think that's what its called, she has her Grade 8 in World Conservatory and teaches music as well however she started teaching Piano and Organ when I was already finished with music lessons and wasn't really interested in taking anymore at the time as I had ventured into Drumming at the time. something I also hope to do again! ) My dream is to do music one day, remix music, produce music and DJ all around the world and I would love to be able to have flowing arms and hands and fingers like you do... So important !!!! By the way you are absolutely gorgeous... Thankyou for the video! Cheers, Jason
Thank you very much, Jason! I hope you enjoy my other free tutorials as well! ;)
@@pianocareer Thankyou ! :)
oh I see - and i must add - you are Russian, but your English is also very very good - you speak expressively and intelligently in all your videos that i've seen. Have you lived abroad for a time possibly ?? Speaking a second language myself, I'm amazed that one could master another language as well as you do, without spending a lot of time abroad to develop it. Anyway, I think your maybe an exceptional person - i know you inspire me ( not just my piano playing) , thank you !!!
Thank you! :) English is my third language (I speak 5 in total) - and I learned it by myself :))). However, I also travel a lot, so in the end it's all about regular, consistent practice (just like in piano playing). Also, it's impossible to master a language without reading a lot (I currently read only in English, because this is my work language and I need to keep it in top shape :)).
Very useful indeed, thanks!!!
Wonderful Presentation you are Great!!!!!
Thank you so much! :))
After years of poor piano posture I recently discovered the importance of keeping my back straight while playing. I grew up hunching over the piano and neither of my long-time teachers ever corrected me. No wonder I didn't practice enough - my back was aching and I was playing with way too much effort since I was putting too much weight in my hands! I just played for an hour and a half without fatigue simply from sitting up straight!
Chris Shotwell Hi Chris! I'm happy that my tutorial was helpful - and that you discovered how important a straight back is, no matter if we talk about piano playing or life in general :). Besides being pain-free, ergonomic practice is also the most efficient way of achieving great expressiveness and a brilliant technique. Good luck and keep the spirit! ;)
Even in the correct position my lower and top back hurts a lot after 30 min. practicing, that's the only thing thayt limit me, can someone tell what it could be?
Mario - it could be a medical issue such as lordosis or scoliosis, or maybe a disc hernia. It would be a good idea to speak to your doctor about it :).
@@pianocareer Thank you
Thank You for this video! I have a problem since im very tall (1,90) i still can't find the perfect comfort position of my right feet on the pedal... long legs ... the most confutable position i am to far from the keyboard... i love your lessons!
+Joao Ferrand Thank you, Joao! ;) By the way, regarding your height - you might find this useful (it's my reply to a similar question posted on my blog, PianoCareer.com): www.pianocareer.com/piano-posture/the-piano-posture-and-the-energy-of-the-sound/comment-page-1/#comment-640
once more the russian school of piano is the best, at least the most complete.
( though among the greatest pianists, many are not russians)
I'm amazed at how gracious you look when you play the piano :O Have you been playing for a long time?
I started just a few weeks ago and my posture is terrible. I tried following your advice, but I don't seem to find the perfect middle between tension and relaxed xD
I'm used to slouching so when i try to keep my back as straight as possible my arms tend to lock (And it looks like I swallowed a flagpole or something) but when I try to reduce the tension my back becomes curved. XD
Also, my back starts hurting terribly in the bottom center after a while of being too straight :O
I don't have a Grand piano, only a 61-key keyboard :O
+Mylène Dubhé (Myli) Hi! Thank you! I'm a professional pianist and piano teacher, and I have almost 30 years of piano experience :). You can find out more about my piano degrees and experience by reading the answer to question No. 27 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). If you want to learn how to play piano correctly, from scratch (including all the elements of an ergonomic and painless posture and key attack), I recommend following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area at PianoCareerAcademy.com). You can find out more about this course by reading answer No. 17 from the FAQs. Regarding your keyboard - find out more by reading answer No. 24. You can learn more about PianoCareerAcademy.com and its functionality by reading answers No. 1-6 :). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
cool thank u have great day
You're welcome! ;)
Hey thank you so much for this video!
What song do you play at 5:20 ?
Or do you just improvise?
If you could tell me the Song at 9:41 would be great as well :) Thank you!
@@LeonFeldmeierMusic it’s bach-busoni’s Chaconne!
Hi Leon! At 5:20 I simply improvise a couple of notes/chords in C Major. At 9:41 it's indeed a short fragment from Bach-Busoni's Chaconne! :)
Hello, your video is so helpful!! I have a question about finger joints. Does the second joint of the pinky need to come out? I heard from some teacher that only the first joint and the knuckle need to come out. The second joint is not that important as long as it does not collapse.
Hi! The way we keep our pinkies depends on what type of structure/layout we play. In its 'default' position, the 5th finger is almost straight (the knuckle never collapses). Out fingers should never be too 'curled' - but the exact angle of each finger joint (how much it 'comes out') depends on a lot of factors (which I cannot describe in a short comment). However, this entire topic (the exact 'curvature' of each finger) is not very relevant: once you learn how to use whole-arm action correctly, and play in a weighted manner, the fingers will naturally assume the most ergonomic and comfortable position - adapting to the exact 'topography' of every passage, interval, chord etc. :).
@Bonecrusher27WTF Thank you for your comment! More videos are coming soon! ;)
Thank you so much! helping with some issues I am having.
My pleasure, Mike! Thank you for your comment! :)
@@pianocareer I studied Percussion. so very different!! Thanks again.
Now this is a really really good video, thanks! Also do you have any tips on improving mind muscle connection to the left hand pinky? every finger feels relaxed and good, but the left pink allways seems to be either wonky or tensed.
Thank you, Rick! Involuntary muscular tension is a habit that can be corrected. The important thing is to take it slowly and re-build your technique one step at a time, starting with easy non-legato exercises. I have many detailed tutorials on this topic on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
Hi piano teacher,thanks for your answer.May I know where is your school?Do you know any good teacher like you inToronto?Your help is really appreciated.
+Jenny Ding Hi again Jenny! Simply read the FAQs I recommended in my previous reply (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - you will find out that PianoCareerAcademy.com is an ONLINE Piano Coaching Program - therefore you can join to matter where you live :). No, I unfortunately I don't know anyone in Toronto :).
Cool tips!