Laying the Foundation: Holistique Pianism (5)

The first step in construction is to prepare the foundation.Before construction can begin, the land must be thoroughly prepared.

Learning “tension-free” lays the groundwork for all students who learn the piano.This must be done before we start learning technique.

The first step is to understand basic body anatomy.

This knowledge can help us understand the tension we unconsciously hold in our bodies and how to release it.

Let us see if you can figure out which part of your body is the full arm system.

Most people believe that our arms are made up of two parts, the upper arm and the forearm.

So did I.

Now try to move your arm.

Was that only your arm moving?

Were there any other body parts that moved along with your arm?

This is an understanding of anatomy.

We can use our bodies more effectively if we understand which parts do what.

When our bodies function properly, they are in balance, and there is no unnecessary tension.

If a student has never had a piano lesson or played the piano before, they are usually relaxed, and we can start teaching technique right away.

If a student comes to us with tension already built up,we must work to free it first.Even if students appear tension-free,it is critical to teach them proper knowledge about how our bodies work.

Without a good understanding of anatomy,they will struggle to see clearly why we do what we do.As a result, teaching will not be an easy task.

Understanding anatomy must be linked to physical sensations.We all remember more easily what we learn physically than what we learn logically.Physical experience can be stored in the deepest regions of our brain,as discussed in the first post of this series.

This relates to neuroscience.

We need a lot of off-the-bench practicebefore we can begin learning how to play the piano.

This may surprise many students,but playing the piano is a sport.It is a physical activity that requires integrating coordination, sustained attention, and refined control of the body.

Learning how to use our bodies while playing the piano cannot be skippedif we truly want to learn and teach healthy piano technique.

This process must begin on the first day of lessons.

Once students have learned to be tension-free,we can begin teaching them how to remain tension-free on the piano.

At this stage, we do not teach which keys are which, finger numbers, or anything else about playing music.

Students will learn how to use their hands before learning to play the piano.

Simply placing the hands on the keyboard without tension is the foundation of tension-free piano technique.

We start in a sitting position.

A sitting position that suits each individual bodykeeps us from creating unnecessary tension while playing.

Elbows must be higher than the wrists,and the body must be at a reasonable distance from the keyboard.

Both feet must be grounded at an appropriate distance.

The core of the body must be stable.

We can sense that all of the bones in the spineare stacked and properly aligned.

The back should not be overextended by tilting the pelvis.

Instead, it should remain relaxedwhile keeping the pelvis neutral.

An overextended back engages back muscles,which can tighten arm muscles that are internally connected.This prevents the arm and wrist from moving freely.

In this position,we can move the body forward, sideways,and slightly backward.

Once this posture is mastered,we can begin teaching how to remain tension-free on the keyboard.

Describing the next step in words is difficult.

If you are interested in learning more,please send me a message or leave a comment.

I may need to record a video.It is not my favorite thing to do,but I may have to.

The next step is to get to know our bodies in greater detail.

To be continued.