Beginning Piano

Posture

Hand Position

Finger Numbers

How to Sit at the Piano

• Sit tall!

• Lean slightly forward.

• Arms hang loosely from shoulders.

• Elbows slightly higher than keys.

How to Sit at the Piano

• Sit facing piano squarely.

• Knees slightly under keyboard.

• Feet flat on floor.

• Right foot may be slightly forward.

Good Posture

Think of three middles…

• You are sitting in the middle of the bench.

• Your bench is in the middle of the piano.

• Your rear is in the middle of the bench.

Hand Position

• Curve your fingers.

• Pretend you have a bubble in you hand.

• Hold the bubble gently, so it doesn’t break!

• Play with the tips of your fingers.

Like this…

…or this…

NOT THIS…

…NOT THIS…

…NOT THIS!

Finger Numbers

• Each finger has a number, starting with the thumb.

• The thumb is the first finger of each hand.

• Work from the middle out.

Here is an example of piano finger numbers.

Here is another example.

A note about finger numbers…

• Finger numbers help us know which finger to use.

• Finger numbers help us find the correct hand position.

More about finger numbers

• Finger numbers should not be used as a playing method.

• Finger numbers and notes will not always be the same.

Finger numbers are tool.

DO NOT USE FINGER NUMBERS TO LEARN THE

MUSIC!

Do not

play piano

like this cat…