How to Sit at a Piano
We can't all sound like Mozart, but if your comportment is correct, you can at least look like you know what you're doing.
Up next in Piano for Beginners (4 videos)
Learn a few piano basics in this piano for beginners video series from Howcast.
You Will Need
- Piano
- Piano bench
- And good posture
Steps
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Step 1
Sit in middle of bench
Sit in the middle of the bench, so you can easily lean in either direction to play high and low notes.
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Step 2
Put arms straight out
Put your arms straight out in front of you, closing your hands into loose fists. Your elbows should be turned inward toward your torso.
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Step 3
Put loose fists on keys
Put your loose fists on the keys, allowing your elbows to hang close to your body, but keeping your hands level with your forearm.
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Elbows should be roughly four inches closer to the keyboard than your shoulders.
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Step 4
Keep hands & fingers rounded
Keep hands and fingers rounded, with only your fingertips on the keys. Keys should be pressed with the weight of the hand alone.
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Step 5
Place feet flat on floor
Place your feet flat on the floor and keep them flat, unless you're pressing a pedal.
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Don't forget to sit up straight!
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Step 6
Position chin & relax shoulders
Keep your chin parallel to the ground and your shoulders relaxed.
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Step 7
Start practicing
Channel your favorite pianist—or maybe just get out the sheet music and start practicing.
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A complete set of piano strings is subject to 20,000 to 40,000 pounds of tension.
