Hi all again,
It certainly has been a while since I last blogged...I have been busy with so many things, but I am back now and ready to start blogging again. I thought I'd blog today about how to support your childs' progress as beginner in piano lessons. Many parents want their children to learn to play the piano and I have had many parents who ask what they can do to oversee to their child's progress when their child begins learning the piano.
How Proper Body Posture Enhances Piano Playing for Beginners
We all know that learning the notes and recognizing pitches are essential components of piano playing, forming the foundation of musical literacy and ear training. However, one crucial aspect that is often overlooked—especially by many teachers when students first begin their lessons—is developing a correct piano body posture. Good posture not only ensures comfort while playing but also directly affects the student's ability to control their hands and fingers effectively, leading to better technique and long-term progress.
When introducing your child to the piano, it’s important to start by setting up the right posture from day one. Sit your child down at the piano and ensure that they are sitting with their back straight, shoulders relaxed and back, and feet firmly planted on the floor or a footrest if needed. The bench should be positioned at an appropriate distance so that they are neither too far nor too close to the piano. A good rule of thumb is to ensure their elbows are slightly in front of their body when they place their hands on the keys.
Establishing this posture early on prevents tension in the neck, shoulders, and back, which can lead to discomfort or even injury later on. Not only does correct posture promote physical well-being, but it also encourages focus and concentration, as the body and mind are better aligned for learning. Developing this awareness from the beginning creates healthy playing habits that will serve the student well as they advance through more challenging music and longer practice sessions. Proper posture is, without a doubt, one of the building blocks to successful piano playing, setting the stage for a lifetime of enjoyable, injury-free music making.
Proper Hand and Arm Positioning for Optimal Piano Technique
Next, position the bench so that the child's elbows are to their side and a little to the front when they place their hands on the piano keys. Tell them to imagine that they are holding a ball as they play. The hand and fingers should be curved and not flat. Their wrist should be in line with their hands and their thumb should be close to the same level as their fingers. The hands should not rest on the piano's edge.
These positions should be developed the moment they begin their lessons. It is always good to develop good habits from the very start. I have seen many students who have very bad body and hand posture and it affects their playing and the whole visual aspects.
Understanding the Importance of Middle C
The next thing important lesson is where the C notes are on the piano. This is the first note that they are likely to learn in beginning piano lessons. This note is easy to find as it is the key immediately to the left of every group of two black keys. The one in the center is known as middle C and it is the most important note to know when one first learn to play the piano. It should be directly in front of where your child sits and on most acoustic pianos, it is located near the logo.
Mastering the Finger Numbering System
Finally, the next important lesson is probably the finger numbering system. Every finger has a number, beginning with the thumbs as number one, and ending with the pinkies as number five. The index, middle and fourth fingers will be numbered as twos, threes, and fours respectively. When the child starts the piano lessons, he or she may see these numbers on the music score as they play. This tells the child what finger should be used to play the notes. The finger associations will change when they progress to higher levels.