Proper finger positioning is an important aspect of learning to play the piano, even if you're just starting out, playing simple songs, or just practicing scales. Sit with good posture and position yourself in the center of the fingerboard. Bend your fingers over the keys in a relaxed manner and place the thumb of your right hand on the middle C key (middle C). If you train your hands and fingers from the start, it will be easier for you to move on to more complex works.
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Method 1 of 3: Maintaining Proper Hand Position
Step 1. Sit at the front of the piano chair
Position the chair a distance away from the piano so that you can sit on the edge of the chair, with your feet flat on the floor. Ideally, your feet should be away from the chair, with your knees bent at a right angle (legs don't stick out).
- The entire thigh should not rest on the chair. If your thighs are all pressed against the seat of the chair, you're sitting too backwards (you should sit more forward toward the piano).
- You may have to use the pedals eventually. Therefore, make sure your feet can move freely and move forward to step on the pedals. However, for now you can put your feet on the floor first.
Step 2. Align the head and shoulders
With good posture, you can "reach" all the keys better as you play, and avoid back problems or pain that could occur. Pull your shoulders back until your shoulder blades are in line with your spine.
Relax your neck and look straight ahead. If you bend toward the keys, hand movement is limited as you play
Step 3. Position your elbows in front of your body
If the arms are in the right position, the elbows will be in the front of the body. In addition, the elbow also needs to be slightly bent, with the inside of the elbow inclined upwards (ceiling).
- Slide the piano chair back slightly if your elbows are right next to your body. On the other hand, if your hands are reaching forward and your elbows are not bent, slide the chair forward (closer to the piano).
- Do not bend your elbows outwards. This posture can cause wrist problems when you start playing the piano more often. The forearm should be perpendicular to the fingerboard.
Step 4. Bend your fingers over the keys
Play piano keys with fingertips. Your thumbs do need to be straightened (the outer part of the thumb "sleeps" on the key). However, the other fingers should be bent over the key in a relaxed position, like when you hold the ball.
If necessary, you can practice proper hand position by holding a tennis ball. Your finger grip on the ball reflects the shape of your finger when it's bent over the keys
Step 5. Relax your arms and shoulders
Straining your arms and shoulders can actually trigger sprains. You can also wiggle your arms and do basic arm and back stretches to stretch your muscles before sitting down and playing the piano.
While playing, check your posture regularly and relieve tension in your arms or shoulders. After a certain period of time, you can automatically show a relaxed posture
Step 6. Move your arm following your finger
As your fingers move up and down the fingerboard, move your arm more or less perpendicular to your hand. This way, you can prevent sprains or strains on your wrists.
Instead of pressing only the keys with your fingers, try to work the larger muscles in your arms, and even your back muscles as you play the keys
Step 7. Keep your fingernails short and neat
If you will be playing the piano a lot, long nails will make it difficult for you to pinpoint the correct hand position. Long nails will also "hit" the keys, destroying the beauty of the song you are playing.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Right Fingering System
Step 1. Number your fingers
All scores use the same finger and thumb numbering for each hand. If you can memorize the number for each finger, you can read the finger position notation easily.
- Numbering starts from the thumb with the number 1 and ends on the little finger with the number 5.
- The numbering of the fingers of the left hand follows the numbering of the fingers of the right hand, with the same numbering for the same finger.
Step 2. Start with the middle C key or middle C key
When you want to practice the piano, place the 1st finger of your right hand on the middle C key. The other fingers on the right hand will naturally occupy the white keys to the right of the thumb. This position is a natural five-finger placement for the right hand.
The thumb of the left hand will technically occupy the middle C key. However, if you play with both hands, you will only place or move the thumb of your left hand over the key, not pressing the middle C key with both thumbs
Step 3. Slide or “tuck” your thumb under the other fingers to play a higher note
When you play the piano, you will use more than 5 keys. To move up (a higher note or octave), "tuck" your thumb under the other fingers so that your thumb can press on the next key. Practice this movement using a scale until you get used to it.
- You only use your little finger to start or end a scale so you usually have to slip your thumb after using your third (middle finger) finger while practicing (especially scales).
- To move downwards (lower notes or octaves), jump over the other finger (more precisely, the thumb) with the ring finger until it is next to the thumb.
Step 4. Play the longer key with shorter fingers
If you look at the fingerboard, you can see long white keys and short black keys. The shortest fingers on the hand are the thumb and little finger, and they are usually used to play the white keys only.
Step 5. Play the shorter keys with the longer fingers
If you're playing a song with sharp or soft notes, you'll need to press the shorter black key. In general, you need to use your index, middle and ring fingers to play these keys.
When playing shorter keys, you may need to slightly "flatten" the position of your finger pads with the keys (instead of bending your fingers) so that you can reach the keys more easily. That way, you don't have to move your finger forward or back any further on the key. You can keep your fingers in the same position, as when you play the white keys
Step 6. Keep your left hand and hand symmetrical
Your left and right hands mirror each other even if they are moving in different directions or playing different patterns. Try adjusting and aligning your fingers so that you use the same fingers on both hands at the same time.
If you can keep this kind of symmetry in the fingering pattern, you can play more complex pieces more easily. When both hands are synchronized, the music can play more naturally
Method 3 of 3: Practice Using Scales
Step 1. Learn all the scales with proper fingering
Scales are one of the basic elements that make up music and if you practice the scales with the right fingers, your fingers will automatically know which keys to press when you see the scale elements of the music being played.
Keep in mind that numbers or finger patterns are not note markers. For example, just because you start a song with the thumb of your right hand on the middle C key, doesn't mean your right thumb will always play that key. In some works or music, this position may feel difficult or unnatural
Step 2. Use the fifth finger only to start or end a scale
In general, the little finger is the weakest finger and is the least used. When playing a scale, you slide your thumb under your middle finger to play the next note and only press the key of the last note with your pinky.
Also, if you're playing a descending scale (from highest to lowest) instead of an ascending scale, you'll be starting the scale with your little finger
Step 3. Find the best finger pattern to play the arpegio
Broken chords or arpegios usually have standard fingering patterns. However, this standard pattern may not be suitable to follow, depending on the notes on the chord being played. If you feel more comfortable using another finger, use that finger. However, make sure that you use the same fingers each time you play the arpegio in that chord, and that the arpegio it plays sounds neat.
Arpegio exercises are a great way to memorize basic chord ups and downs on a fingerboard
Step 4. Follow the standard fingering patterns for yourself
You may see fingering notes on scores, and they can be a great starting point when learning a new song. However, standard fingering patterns are not always suitable for every pianist.
- For example, if you have small hands, it may be easier to slide your thumb under your index or middle finger (and not up to your ring finger) when you need to play a higher scale or note.
- If you change the standard finger pattern, make sure you consistently follow the new pattern created. If you keep changing finger patterns on the same piece, you won't be able to develop and have the muscle memory for the song, so you run the risk of making more mistakes.
Step 5. Write the finger number on the score
By noting the finger numbers for each note you play, you can master the song more quickly, especially when you're just learning to play the piano.
