Essential Elements of Piano Technique

8/2/2019 Essential Elements of Piano Technique

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Kathleen Riley, Ph.D.

WPPC 2008

Essential Elements ofPiano Technique


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Technique is the knowledge of the most

economical way to produce adequatelywhat the mind conceives artistically.

E. Robert Schmitz, The Capture of Inspiration


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Analysis

Placing basic principles of movement at the keyboard

under the microscope

Real time video capture of hand position and body

alignment with surface electromyographicmonitoring of muscle tension

Immediate feedback on body alignment, technique

and tension levels in the arms, hands and fingers Clear and concise understanding of what is optimal


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Understanding SEMG

SEMG stands for Surface Electromyography. It is a devicethat measures the amount of electrical activity your muscles

release when they are contracting, more commonly known as

muscle tension.

It is similar in function to an EKG which measures heartmuscle activity.

By monitoring the extensor muscles separately, sEMG activity

can be observed through a full range of motion of technique.

By monitoring the trapezius muscles, neck and shouldertension can be observed. These muscles often tighten while

playing.


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Why is muscle activity important?

Muscles have a tendency to brace in response to certain

movements and misperceptions of movements. While our

muscles do have to tense to perform, they also need to release

the excess tension when the movement is finished.

A good illustration of this is the follow-through of the arm in tennis

after the ball is struck. The follow-through allows the muscles to

relax in order to quickly move and prepare to return the next ball.

Imagine trying to prepare a backhand shot if your arm is still

braced in the forehand position!


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SEMG Graph Showing Periods

of Playing and Resting


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Before feedback wrist position too high,

therefore, tension too high in extensors


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After feedback, wrist position improved

and tension level improved


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How does this relate to piano playing?

Many pianists are unaware of their hand and finger

position.

Even those with a good technique often play with high

levels of tension that they are unaware of and

therefore do not always release properly.

In piano playing the large muscles of our arms assist

the fine muscles in our hands and fingers. Using only

tiny finger muscles can cause unnecessary strain thatcan result in tendonitis and other problems.

Common complaints among pianists are pain ordiscomfort and excess tension in the neck and

shoulders, back, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand, and

tiredness.


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Part II: A Simple Anatomy Lesson

Back, Shoulders, Neck

Illustration from Grays Anatomy


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Shoulder and Arm Muscles


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Understanding the Muscles of the Hand

The extrinsic muscles exterior to the hand, start atthe elbow or forearm. They run down the forearmand cross the wrist and hand.

The smallest muscles that originate in the wrist andhand are called the intrinsic muscles. The intrinsicmuscles guide the fine motions of the fingers bygetting the fingers positioned and holding themsteady during hand activities.

Following Illustrations by William Scavone, MA, CMI

Kestrel Illustration Studio, LLC

http://www.kestrelstudio.com
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Extrinsic Muscles

The Flexor Digitorum system, is located in the upper part of the forearm

near the elbow.
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Another set of muscles, the Flexor & Extensor Carpi, hold the wrist firm,

counterbalancing the Flexor Digitorum muscles.
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The Natural Arch of the Hand
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Intrinsic Muscles

The Interossei lie on either side of the hand between the knuckles

(metacarpals). Their primary function is in opening and closing of thefingers and to contribute to fine motor control.
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We rely on the Lumbricals to do most of the knuckle movementsthroughout our daily activities, including our finger actions on thekeyboard.

In piano playing we must strengthen the Interossei muscles to flex thefingers from the knuckle joints. This leaves the wrists relaxed and flexible.
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Muscles of the Thumb

Extrinsic

Intrinsic
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Muscles of the Fifth Finger
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Part III: Bridging Technique to

Performance

The amount of tension in our muscles effects

the sounds produced on the piano.

Teach your students to listen!

Record and playback!

Before and after recording and playback of

playing while working with feedback show

marked differences in tonal quality.
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Demonstrations

Posture

Arm and hand alignment

Hand position The power of the bridge!
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Part IV: Putting It into Your Teaching

Give your students a basic anatomy lesson

Help them understand how things work

Biofeedback-assisted teaching helps the

student learn on several simultaneous levels

A picture is worth a thousand words the

screen will validate your concepts!

Demonstrate for your students!

If possible, demonstrate with video or with

both!
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Questions?

Thank you for your time today!

For further information I can be reached at:

[email protected]@ureach.com

Cell: 201-220-6851

www.pianoperceptions.com
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Essential Elements of Piano Technique

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