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Kathleen Riley, Ph.D.
WCSU 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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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 highlevels 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 that
can 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
http://www.kestrelstudio.com/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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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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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
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pianoperceptions.com/http://www.pianoperceptions.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]