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Posture & Hand Position

⏱ 12 min ★ ★☆☆☆☆ 🏆 50 XP 📋 Quiz ≈ ABRSM Pre-Grade 1

Sitting at the Piano

Good posture is the foundation of piano playing. Poor habits now lead to tension and injury later. Let’s build the right foundation from day one.

Bench Height & Distance

  • Height: Sit so your forearms are roughly parallel to the floor when your fingers rest on the keys. Your elbows should be slightly above the key surface.
  • Distance: Sit far enough that your elbows are slightly in front of your body, not pinned to your sides. You should be able to reach both ends of the keyboard without leaning.
  • Feet: Both feet flat on the floor (or on a footrest for children). Your right foot will later learn to use the sustain pedal.

The Curved Hand Position

Interactive Exercise MIDI supported

Imagine holding a small ball or an orange in each hand. Your fingers should be gently curved, touching the keys with your fingertips, not the flat pads. Key points:

  • Knuckles: Your knuckles (the big joints where fingers meet the hand) should be the highest point
  • Wrist: Keep your wrist level — not drooping below the keys or raised too high
  • Thumb: Rests on its side corner, not flat
  • Fingers: Curved and relaxed, never locked straight

Finger Numbers

Every pianist uses the same finger numbering system for both hands:

  • 1 = Thumb
  • 2 = Index finger
  • 3 = Middle finger
  • 4 = Ring finger
  • 5 = Pinky (little finger)

Relaxation Check

Before you play, do a quick check: drop your arms to your sides and shake them out. Bring them back to the keys. Your shoulders should stay down and relaxed, not hunched up near your ears. Tension is the enemy of good piano playing!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Slouching at the bench. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, feet flat. Bench height: forearms parallel to the floor when fingers rest on the keys.
  • Flat fingers and collapsed knuckles. Imagine holding a small orange in your palm. Fingertips strike the keys, not the pads of your fingers.
  • Speeding up at the easy parts. Use a metronome. Most students unconsciously rush through familiar passages. Steady tempo is the mark of a professional.

Pro Tip from a Teacher

In your first month, spend 80% of your practice on JUST the right hand — even before adding the left. Single-hand fluency is the foundation of two-hand independence.

Try Variations

Easier

Clap the rhythm out loud while counting "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and".

Standard

Tap the rhythm on the keys with a single finger, no melody.

Harder

Play the rhythm with both hands at different dynamics (RH forte, LH piano).

Connect to Your Repertoire

Practise expressive dynamics on this Romantic-era miniature.

Trois Gymnopédies (Satie)

Before You Move On — Self-Assessment

0/5 checked — aim for at least 4 of 5 before continuing to the next lesson.

Recommended Reading
Best Piano for Kids: The 2026 Parent’s Guide Article
How Long Does It Take to Learn Piano? Article
Can You Learn Piano on 22, 40, or 61 Keys? Article
Best Piano Apps for Learning and Practicing Article

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