How do I position my hands on the piano?

Answer 1

Wiggle your hands and place in on the keys. Your knuckles should be curved, your elbow a little above your fingers and above the keys. Additionally, your legs should be flat on the floor, with the right leg slightly ahead of the other, and a proper sitting position of a straight back and shoulders back ready to impress the world with your serenade!

Answer 2

Your arms should be 90* angles at the elbow with the upper arm hanging down naturally. The forearm should be parallel to the floor- you may need to raise or lower your bench if possible. the wrist should be in line from the forearm, but the knuckles will be raised. Play the keys with soft rounded fingers, touching the key with the soft part of the finger tip. To number your fingers, thumbs are 1 and pinkies are 5. To begin, place one finger on each key. If you are beginning on middle-c your right hand thumb (or first finger) will be on C, your second finger on D, third on E, fourth on F and fifth (pinky) on G. The left hand will be opposite with thumb (or first finger) on G, second on F, third on E, fourth on D and fifth on C. As you play the piano more you will begin to move around the piano more and sometimes leave this position to reach new notes, but this is the basic position. FYI- there is no 0 in piano fingering, the fingers are 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Answer 3

Proper posture is the key. Sit straight, your hands are straight out from your wrist (for the most part) and cupped with your fingers pointing down toward the keys. When you read piano music from the Grand Staff there are times the notes will have a small number (1 through 5) written - if it is above the note then you will use your right hand and the finger number (thumb=0 through to pinky=5) - when written at the bottom you will use the left hand - the number 0-5 apply the same (thumb=0 through to pinky=5). As the notes move up and down you should use the appropriate finger in the order using that numbered note as reference. This finger number system will help beginners and advanced players play particular passages more efficiently - You will be a better player following this method.

r