Teaching Beginning Piano Students Proper Hand Position

After 25 years of teaching piano I have never been more of a stickler when it comes to ensuring my early learners establish a solid hand structure.  Proper form is something we address continuously- literally at each lesson.  I want my students to understand that your hand position is super important and must remain top of mind each and every time they approach the keyboard.  Generally speaking, poor hand position usually limits playing and potential as students advance.

My dilemma has always been: How on earth do I train a 4 or 5 year old to maintain a solid hand position?  Can they even grasp the concept of a collapsed arch...or joints...and flat fingers- which is so typical for beginners.  Flat fingers feel 'safe'...more finger contact with the key (especially black keys) gives a sense of security and grip on the key.  So I've struggled with this likely as most teachers do naturally.

Over the years I've tried many techniques...and games and creative ways to engage and motivate young learners to keep a rounded hand and play on the finger tips.  Bar none the BEST resource to date came with the piano method My First Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber.  I was very familiar with the regular line "Piano Adventures" and all the levels and resources they offer.  This book geared for younger learners offered some invaluable exercises I've actually adopted with ALL my students.

There is a wonderful rhyming chant the kids say with actions that practice a curved hand, loose wrist rotation, independent thumb tapping and sweeping arm movement that lands on the keyboard.  It's called "Stone on the Mountain".  I begin each lesson with this exercise- it's short and simple and these kids do it at home.  It can be difficult for a child to form a rounded hand well on the keyboard...but in this exercise, they can easily do these movements on their lap...then transfer them to the keyboard.  This has made this biggest difference in my students.  And they love it!

The second exercise that I have picked up as a staple is the "Mitsy's Cat Back" song and hand actions.  Not only is it the purrrrfect (I couldn't resist) song for fall lessons (it has a Halloween sound) to again, reinforce wrist movement and curved hands, it's super cool.  The kids LOVE LOVE this song.  Again, this has taken me by surprise...I've always struggled to get kids to grasp these concepts and yet, with these little rhymes and songs...it seems TOO EASY.

Now, I've got 4 and 5 year olds with better hand structure than some of my older students.  Incredible.  If they forget (which easily happens) a quick reminder to curve that hand- and they are back on track instantly.

If you are teaching little hands piano and wondering how to get a handle on this issue:

1.  pick up "My First Piano Adventures"...go to the website and watch the wonderful videos that explain the pedagogy behind the activities and demonstrate how they are taught with actual students.

2. Be consistent.  Your little students will understand the priority of hand position when you begin weekly with these activities and make it a priority.

3. Have hands on items in your studio...like squishy balls--anything that when squeezed forms a strong hand structure.  Students LOVE the be busy with their hands....they may not even realize they are working on this.  I've purchased different squishy toys at the dollar store and even given them to students to take home to squeeze and practice proper hand structure.  I've even purchased play dough to work each finger (pressing into the dough)

4. Encourage students to transfer these motions (loose wrist, free arm, curved fingers) in easy repertoire from the start.  They will learn to move this way always.  Build it into them.

The earlier we understand that technique is the relationship between the body and the keyboard the better the student...certainly the more successful the student in terms of musicality and technical proficiency in the beginning and down the line.  

This is Your Brain on Music...

I've taken some time out of my summer to research how music impacts brain activity.  I've read through several studies and found the results fascinating. A new study from Northwestern University revealed that in order to fully reap the cognitive benefits of a music class, kids can't just sit there and let the sound of music wash over them.  They have to be actively engaged in the music and participate in the class.  It's important to engage with the sound in order to reap the benefits and see changes in the central nervous system.  Music, indeed, is one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children.
That being said, music should also be enjoyable...inspiring and delightful.  And yes, it will prove to build character as well as hard work and focus are required.  Sounds like a win- win situation if you ask me!
It didn't take me long to come up with this year's studio incentive program for my students.  It's aptly named: "This is Your Brain on Music".   We will take a look at some of the different parts of the brain that is specifically stimulated by the key elements of music (rhythm, composition, sight reading, fine motor etc) As students reach musical goals and complete tasks they will earn Cranium  Coins,  which will be collected in a studio bank.  Once 1,000 coins are reached there will be a celebration/ special event for all students to enjoy at the end of the year.  Students will ultimately decide how they would best like to celebrate...pizza party...ice cream social, etc.

Performance Opportunities

Who doesn't get nervous at some point when they are confronted with an audience?  Performing can be challenging at the best of times.
Hands get cold and/or sweaty, we get shakey, our mouth gets dry, nausea can set in, and we may even feel sheer panic.

There are some things we can do to help us deal with the nerves:

1. Be prepared: practice, practice, practice.   I've never heard a student say they wished they hadn't practiced so much....
2. Limit caffeine and sugar on performance day...eat well- you don't want to be hungry.
3. Consciously shift the focus off of yourself and your fear to the enjoyment you are providing to the spectators.  Close your eyes and imagine the audience smiling and you feeling good.
4. Don't focus on what could go wrong. Instead, focus on the positive.  Visualize your success.
5. AVOID thoughts that produce self-doubt.
6. Practice controlled breathing...deep breathing...relaxing.  Stay calm:)
7. Connect with your audience...smile, make eye contact and think of them as friends.
8. Act natural and be yourself.
9. Exercise, eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep and live a healthy lifestyle.  (all of the above is easier that way)
10. Stretch your shoulders, back, arms...shake out fingers to loosen up.  Take a walk if it helps.

Keep in mind that stage fright is usually worse before the performance and often goes away once you get started.

This is a lot for most of us to digest.  How can we actually get GOOD at practicing these skills and techniques?  Well....the reality is that for most of us...the more we do something, the better we get at it.  So it's simple:  PERFORM MORE OFTEN.

Face your fears.  It won't always be so difficult.

Yes, you will probably still get nervous however, you will get stronger at relaxing, focusing and working past it.  Once you have more successful performances under your belt....you have confidence.

You know you can do it:)

I was chatting with a colleague at the piano festival and she shared that when she was young taking lessons she had terrible performance anxiety.  She couldn't cope.  Her parents enrolled her in a music school and one of their policies for all students was the once a month recitals.  Mandatory.  She recounted the great anxiety like it was yesterday.  Then she said these mandatory recitals were exactly what she needed.  Over time, it was 'no big deal'....performing.  She had done it so many times.  She was familiar with it all and had learned how to manage her nerves.

This spring I wanted to increase the performance opportunities for my students with this very thought in mind.  With festivals approaching and exams coming up quickly, it just made sense.  I booked a series recital times at a local senior's home.   Like a crazy lady I booked one every other week over the spring break.

So....is it working?  Well, these things take time.  But yes, this last week it was the best yet.  I witnessed several students lose the stiff nervousness and play with freedom and joy.  I am planning to continue offering this to my students because it both provides a much needed performance opportunity but also gives them something to work towards.

The best part of all is that each week we attend, the regulars at the home always chat with us and thank each of the students for blessing their evening.

Speaking as an audience member...who doesn't  enjoy hearing live music?

Mission: Music!

As always I'm extremely excited about this year's incentive program.  I thought it would be hard to top "Musikopoly" from last year but I think this program is amazing!  It's a cross between "Mission: Impossible" and "Amazing Race".  I will have a bit world map up in my studio to track where everyone goes.  There will be challenges to complete at each city students stop at.  Lots of prizes and bonuses along the way.  

Musikopoly

About a year ago I was on the hunt for an incentive program that would help to motivate students to push a little harder each week, keeping daily practice 'top of mind'.  It didn't take me long to find "Musikopoly", a year-long incentive program that was sure to do the trick.  For the most part, the response was tremendous.  Students could earn 'Bach Bucks' each week by accomplishing certain tasks: practicing, completing creative quests, sight reading challenges, composer research, and larger scale accomplishments (performance, song writing, and examinations)  With their bucks, they could then purchase properties on their personal game boards.

I was thrilled with the results and the 'fun factor' that Musikopoly added to my piano studio this past year!  Here are some happy campers with their proudly completed boards!