Proper posture for keyboard playing

Playing a keyboard involves your whole body. Just wiggling your fingers about isn’t enough; you need to consider your sitting/standing position, your neck and shoulders, your arms and wrists, and even your legs and feet. Good position and posture helps you to play better and to avoid any pain that can arise from developing bad habits.

When you sit at the keyboard, your arms should hang relaxed from the shoulder. Bend your elbows so your arm forms a straight line from the elbow across the wrists to the finger. If you’re sitting too high or too low, this straight line may not happen; you should either adjust the height of your chair/bench or the stand the keyboard is on.

How to shape your hand and fingers

How you hold your hand and shape your fingers enables you to use them as little hammers to easily play notes and move your hand position around the keyboard. Here’s a simple trick to form the perfect bent finger position.

1. Lay your hand flat on a table/surface.

2. Keeping the heel of your palm on the surface, slowly pull your fingers in so they curl inward.

The back of your hand (at the knuckles) will rise up a bit as you do this step. When your fingertips are on the surface, you’re in good position.

Some teachers describe this position as looking like you could cup a small tennis ball in your hand. You can try that as well. The result is that your fingers are arched nicely, the tips of your fingers are ready to touch the keys, and your thumb forms a straight line back to your wrist and across your forearm.