COURSE SUPPLEMENT

FIRMING UP THE FINGERS

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KEYBOARD CHOREOGRAPHY: LESSON 2

SEYMOUR BERNSTEIN – INSTRUCTOR

“We get into trouble on the piano when muscles contract

involuntarily”.

It's a myth that you need to be

physically relaxed while playing
piano. The very act of breathing
involves contractions of muscles.
Instead, ask the question of what
muscles should contract when
you play. The buttock area
contains the center of strength in
the body, and it's contracting
while you play, along with the
sternum.

Rest your fingers on the keys and you eventually notice tension in the shoulders–
this is the second center of strength in the body. Contract your muscles as soon as
you play a chord on the piano, but immediately relax once you hit the keybed.

When your body senses that you won't be strong enough to perform a task, muscles
will contract without your control. For example, you must have taut fingers to hold
up your arm, otherwise other muscles become tense and you risk tendonitis. 

Watch the lesson at tonebase.co Bernstein 1

 To stretch your fingers, cover the
nails of your right hand with the pads
of your left hand. Press upwards with
the right hand and downwards with
the left hand. Aim to resemble a
contracting spring. Alternate hands.

Now, with the right hand, play a

smooth scale with the first finger
while pressing against it with the
thumb. Remember to play with the
pad of your finger.

When pupils came to Chopin, he first

taught the natural position of the
hand on the keyboard. This position
is simulated by placing the fingers on
the notes E, F-sharp, G-sharp, A-
sharp, and B.

Continue with the right hand, pressing with the thumb, always keeping the fingers
alert and stretched. 

Never perform any exercise mechanically. Always make music. No piece has ever
been written that doesn't require something emotional to be said. Dynamics are a
powerful way to achieve this. Never build mechanism into your sound, but always
try to work on your expressivity, and it will follow you in every piece you play.

Watch the lesson at tonebase.co Bernstein 2