Problems?

Unwilling Fingers

Problem: Your fingers don't seem to want to bend willingly or always hit two keys at the same time. Usually, the fourth finger or pinky are your problem fingers.

Solution: Practice playing alternatingly between your problem fingers (i.e. 4-5-4-5). Slowly at first, then gradually increase speed.

Stuck-up Fingers

Problem: You tend to lift or stick up your other fingers when you bend one finger (like you're making a shadow puppet, only unintentionally).

Solution: This problem is hard to solve because you've probably only begun playing and your fingers aren't used to specific motions, such as steadily pressing one finger. This should be solved with more practice, and as time goes on, you'll find your fingers less and less likely to stick up when unintended.

Slumped Wrists

Problem: Your wrists are slumped against the keys (similar to when you're typing on the keyboard). If they are, you'll need to correct this as soon as possible because slumped wrists indicate sloppiness, and you don't want to be a sloppy, or sloppy-looking, piano player. Luckily, there's a simple way to correct this habit: the Penny Trick.

Solution: To begin the Penny Trick, place one penny on the back of each hand. Carefully position your hands over the piano and play some keys. But be sure not to drop the pennies! If you consistently practice with a penny on each hand, you'll force yourself to have better wrist posture.

Problems

  1. Unwilling Fingers
  2. Stuck-up Fingers
  3. Slumped Wrists

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