Essential Elements of Piano Technique

Essential Elements of Piano Techni echnique que

© Kathleen Riley, Ph.D. WPPC 2008 

“Technique is the knowledge of the most economical way to produce adequately what the the mind conceives artistically artistically..”

E. Robert Schmitz, The Capture of Inspiration

Analysis •

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Placing basic principles of movement at the keyboard under the microscope Real time video capture of hand position and body alignment with surface electromyographic monitoring 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

Understanding SEMG •

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SEMG stands for Surface Electromyography. It is a device that measures the amount of electrical activity your muscles release when they are contracting, more commonly known as muscle tension.

It is similar in function to an EKG which measures heart muscle activity. By monitoring the extensor muscles separately, sEMG activity can be observed through a full range of motion of technique. By monitoring the trapezius muscles, neck and shoulder tension can be observed. These muscles often tighten while playing.

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.

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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! 

SEMG Graph Showing Periods of Playing and Resting

Before feedback wrist position too high, therefore, tension too high in extensors

After feedback, wrist position improved and tension level improved

How does this relate to piano playing? •

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Many pianists are unaware of their hand and finger   position. Even those with a good technique often play with high levels 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 or  discomfort and excess tension in the neck and  shoulders, back, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand, and  tiredness.

Part II: A Simple Anatomy Lesson •

Back, Shoulders, Neck 

Illustration from Gray’s Anatomy