Musical pursuits provide a way to relax, express creativity, and engage with art. If you’ve considered picking up a new skill, piano lessons are a cathartic hobby for students of all ages. However, there are other elements that go into it besides just memorizing the keys. For example, posture helps you look after your health and become a better performer. The guide below offers tips for holding yourself correctly.

Do:

Align your neck and shoulders.

During piano lessons, this tip has the largest impact on your overall health. Keeping your head too far forward exerts more weight on the spine, causing damage and strain over the years. Instead, your back should be almost—but not quite—straight, following the natural curvature of your spine. If it feels unnatural at first, that’s because it takes time to adjust from the wrong position to the right one.

Cup your hands naturally.

Again, this is all about moving to a more natural form. Rather than holding your fingers flat and spread out on the piano, cup them so that they come down on the keys from above. In the long run, this will allow you to advance farther as a piano player.

Don’t:

Keep the piano too high.

Finding the right height for the piano bench is especially crucial for children. If they have trouble reaching, they’ll likely slide forward to sit on the edge of the bench, which is incorrect. Sitting too low will impact their playing. In addition to adjusting their seat, consider getting them a footstool so that they are encouraged to keep their feet flat as they play. While a teacher will correct them during their piano lessons, it will be up to the parents to do this at home.

Stiffen your wrists.

This tip goes along with cupping your hands. While some beginning piano players keep their wrists completely stiff and hammer at the keys, the goal is to let your fingers fall with the weight of your arms behind them. To achieve this, keep your wrists flexible.

Ready to begin piano lessons? Contact Iryna Dunaeva at European Piano School in Anchorage, AK. As a professionally trained pianist who’s been teaching for almost four decades, Iryna uses Russian teaching techniques to turn every music class into an engaging learning experience. Learn more about getting professional piano lessons today by visiting her online or calling (907) 360-2915 with questions.