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?
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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
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Back, Shoulders, Neck
Illustration from Gray’s Anatomy