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Piano technique is the foundation upon which every aspiring pianist builds their musical prowess. As I tell my students, technique Isn’t just about hitting the right keys– it’s about producing beautiful sounds with precision, fluidity, and expression.
Ultimately, our piano technique is simply the set of tools that helps us to make beautiful music at the piano.
In this article, I’m going to give you some tips on improving your piano technique in order to elevate your playing to the next level. Remember, improvement at the piano takes time and dedication.
If you’re looking for step-by-step technical exercises to improve your playing and note reading, I highly recommend my online course, based on my many years of teaching students of all levels.
So without further ado, let’s look at five of the best ways to improve your piano technique!
One of the fundamental aspects of piano technique is maintaining proper hand position and posture. Your hands are your primary tools for producing music, and how you position them on the keyboard can significantly impact your performance.
Begin by ensuring that your wrists are level with the keys, neither drooping nor excessively raised. Your fingers should be curved naturally, with the fingertips making contact with the keys.
One tip I often give students: let your arm hang relaxed down at your side. Look at the way the fingers are naturally curved. This hand position is exactly the hand position you need when playing the piano, and is a great starting position for developing your technique.
Additionally, pay attention to your overall posture. Sit upright with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet flat on the floor. Avoid slouching or hunching over the keyboard, as this can restrict your range of motion and lead to tension and discomfort while playing (even if some very famous pianists don’t offer the best example, e.g. Glenn Gould.)
By establishing good hand position and posture habits from the start, you’ll lay the groundwork for developing a strong and fluid piano technique.
Scales and arpeggios are essential exercises that help pianists develop finger strength, dexterity, and coordination. They’re found in tons of pieces as well, and practicing these fundamental patterns in all keys allows you to familiarize yourself with the layout of the keyboard and improve your ability to navigate it with ease.
EVERY aspiring pianist should learn all the scales! But don’t worry, many of the scales have the exact same fingering and with a few simple rules, you can learn all of them and create the foundation of a solid piano technique. I cover all 24 major and minor scales, as well as all major and minor arpeggios, in my online course.
Arpeggios, which involve playing the notes of a chord in succession, are equally valuable for building finger agility and control. Practice arpeggios in various inversions and patterns, focusing on smooth transitions between chords and maintaining a steady rhythm. Incorporating scale and arpeggio practice into your daily routine will not only enhance your technical proficiency but also deepen your understanding of music theory and harmony.
I generally practice scales and arpeggios over four octaves. I practice them in different rhythms and dynamics as well. Always pay attention to evenness of tone and consistency of tempo!
A key aspect of piano technique is developing finger independence, allowing each finger to move freely and independently of the others. Exercises that target finger strength and coordination can help you overcome common challenges such as unevenness, stiffness, or fatigue while playing.
There are many great exercises to help develop finger independence and strength, but one of the best ways to improve is to learn the Hanon Finger Exercises, a series of repetitive patterns designed to improve finger agility and independence. You can find them for free here.
Another useful technique for developing finger strength is practicing trills and tremolos, which involve rapid alternation between two notes or a rapid repetition of a single note.
Start slowly and gradually increase the speed as you build confidence and control. Additionally, incorporating finger strengthening exercises such as finger presses or using hand grippers can help improve overall finger strength and endurance.
Technique is NOT just about playing dry exercises as mechanically as possible!
Piano technique goes beyond mere proficiency in executing notes—it encompasses the ability to infuse your playing with emotion, nuance, and expression. Paying attention to dynamics, or the variation in volume and intensity, is crucial for conveying the musical message effectively.
Practice playing passages at different dynamic levels, from pianissimo (very soft) to fortissimo (very loud), and experiment with shaping phrases to highlight their musical significance.
In addition to dynamics, focus on articulation, or the clarity and precision of each note. Experiment with different articulations such as staccato (short and detached), legato (smooth and connected), and marcato (emphatic and accented) to bring out the unique character of each piece. Remember that technique serves as a means to express musical ideas and emotions, so strive to imbue your playing with sensitivity, depth, and artistry.
No matter how dedicated you are, your technique is going to progress orders of magnitude faster if you follow an established piano course and work together with a good piano teacher.
A skilled instructor can provide personalized feedback, identify areas for improvement, and offer expert guidance on technique, repertoire selection, and practice strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, having a knowledgeable teacher by your side can help accelerate your progress and prevent you from developing bad habits.
Additionally, consider participating in masterclasses, workshops, or piano festivals where you can receive feedback from multiple instructors and interact with other pianists. Collaborating with peers and learning from their experiences can provide valuable insights and motivation on your journey to mastering piano technique.
Mastering piano technique takes dedication. It requires patience, and perseverance. By focusing on proper hand position and posture, practicing scales and arpeggios regularly, developing finger independence and strength, prioritizing dynamics and expression, and seeking guidance from a qualified teacher, you can enhance your playing and unlock new levels of musicality and artistry.
Remember that technique is not an end in itself, but rather a means to express your unique voice and connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level. So keep practicing, stay curious, and let your passion for music guide you on your path to pianistic excellence.
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I’ve found that practicing arpeggios and scales have helped me a lot with finger independence and speed, which overall will make me a better piano player.
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I believe that the help of an actual instructor is the best thing one can do to quickly and correctly improve at piano. I’ve just recently started piano lessons again.
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Important Sentences and Their Significance
1. “Piano technique is the foundation upon which every aspiring pianist builds their musical prowess.”
This sentence highlights the importance of mastering technique in piano playing. It emphasizes that technique is not just an accessory but the basis of developing musical skills, underlining the necessity for aspiring pianists to focus on this area.
2. “Technique isn’t just about hitting the right keys– it’s about producing beautiful sounds with precision, fluidity, and expression.”
This statement underscores the multifaceted nature of piano technique. It goes beyond simple note accuracy and includes the quality of sound, the smoothness of playing, and the emotional depth, suggesting that true mastery involves a combination of these elements.
3. “Scales and arpeggios are essential exercises that help pianists develop finger strength, dexterity, and coordination.”
This sentence points out the fundamental exercises in piano playing that contribute to developing technical skills. It stresses the importance of practicing these exercises to improve physical capabilities and familiarity with the piano keyboard.
4. “Technique serves as a means to express musical ideas and emotions, so strive to imbue your playing with sensitivity, depth, and artistry.”
This highlights the ultimate goal of technique in piano playing: emotional expression. It suggests that technique is a tool to convey artistic intent, encouraging pianists to use their skills to communicate more effectively with their audience.
Background Information
- Piano Technique: Piano technique refers to the physical skills and methods required to play the piano effectively. It includes finger movement, hand position, posture, and the ability to produce different dynamics and articulations. A good technique allows a pianist to play with accuracy, speed, and expression. More on piano technique can be explored at [Piano Lessons](https://www.pianolessons.com/technique/).
- Scales and Arpeggios: Scales are sequences of notes ordered by pitch, and arpeggios are broken chords played in succession. Both are crucial for developing technical skills on the piano, as they promote finger independence and familiarity with the keyboard. For further reading, check [Musical U](https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-make-scales-less-boring/).
- Dynamics in Music: Dynamics refer to the volume of sound in music and are an essential aspect of musical expression. Different dynamic levels can evoke various emotions and are represented by terms like pianissimo and fortissimo. For more details, visit [Music Theory](https://learnmusictheory.net/PDFs/pdffiles/01-01-09-DynamicsArticulations.pdf).
Suggested Resources for Further Reading
- [“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing Piano” by Brad Hill](https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Playing-Piano/dp/1592575641) – This book offers a comprehensive guide for beginners to understand piano playing and technique.
- [“Fundamentals of Piano Technique: The Russian Method” by Leonid Nikolayev and Olga Conus](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fundamentals-Piano-Technique-Russian-Method/dp/1495073017) – A resource that delves into the Russian approach to piano technique, known for its emphasis on musicality and technical precision.
- [Piano World](https://www.pianoworld.com/) – A community and resource hub for piano enthusiasts, offering forums, articles, and tips on piano playing and technique.
If a link does not work, you can find the source by searching with the information provided.
Invitation to Reflect and Engage
Take a moment to revisit the text and ponder the insights it offers about piano technique. As you do, consider adding your own reflections or questions that arise. What additional aspects do you see in the text? Your observations are valuable, so feel free to share them in a reply!
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