Piano playing is a skill that requires a lot of effort and patience. But it also has some important benefits for the body and mind.
Practicing the piano offers many health and social benefits to kids and adults alike. It improves memory, motor skills and co-ordination – all of which are crucial for brain development and mental health.
Keyboard Layout
The keyboard layout is a major factor in how you play the piano. It’s important to have the keys that are easiest for you to press, and it also helps to keep your fingers close together.
There are many different keyboard layouts, each designed to suit a specific user’s needs. Some are based on language, while others are created specifically for computer programming, mathematics, and accounting.
QWERTY is the most common layout used on most keyboards. It is also the most efficient, and research has found that it allows typists to type faster than other keyboard layouts.
Dvorak is another keyboard layout that has been favored by some typists for its ergonomic advantages. It places the most commonly used letters on the home row and makes typing easier by reducing stress on the hands.
Keyboard Pitch
Pianos are velocity-sensitive-the faster you strike a key, the harder the hammer strikes the strings. They’re also aftertouch-sensitive-applying force after the initial strike produces vibrato, swells in volume and other expression effects – this is crucial for a symphony concert.
Some keyboard instruments, such as baroque clavichords and professional synthesizers, are displacement-sensitive-partly depressing a key produces a quieter tone.
Another type of expression is pitch bend-the ability to raise or lower a note by bending the key. This can create a much more dynamic effect than just changing the key stroke, as you’ll hear every micro tone in between!
A skilled pianist will be able to memorize the distances between notes and reach them without looking. But they’ll also need to look down when notes are very far away and require a large change in position.
Pedal Position
The pedals on the piano are a great way to add an extra element of sound and rhythm to your playing. However, you should be aware of each pedal’s purpose and how to use them properly.
The sustain pedal, for example, is commonly used by professional pianists and is a powerful tool for blending notes and chords together, creating a pleasant blurriness to your music, and smoothing transitions between sections.
A sustain pedal will hold a note until the foot is released and any new notes begin, adding an additional layer of sound to your playing and making your music more rich and full. This effect can be particularly noticeable when the pedal is depressed relatively late after a note has been struck, such as on the first chord of a piece or when music continues after a rest.
Finger Position
When playing the piano, your hand position is one of the most important things to focus on. It is a critical factor in how you play, and it will help you get to your maximum potential.
Many students have poor finger position, which will hinder their playing and cause them to make transitions that are outside of their tempo. To avoid this, you need to practice good fingering technique and learn to place your hands correctly on the piano keys.
With your hands well positioned, you can move them around the keyboard to keep all the keys within easy reach. There are two main techniques for moving your hands: shifting and crossing.
Posture
When you’re playing the piano, the posture of your hands is essential to a great performance. Not only does it help you maintain a comfortable position and reduce fatigue, but it also helps you avoid injuries and pain. You’ll need the correct posture to play for a couple hours like in the Dear Evan Hansen musical.
Incorrect piano posture can lead to bad habits that are hard to break later on. The best way to ensure good posture is to practice it regularly during lessons and at home.
Make sure your arms form a 90-degree angle at your elbows. Your wrists never dip lower than the keys, and your hands and forearms are level. Relaxed shoulders and a straight spine are also key to correct posture.