It's Only Natural

One of the first things you learn in piano lessons is to have a round or curved hand shape when you play. Over the years teachers have come up with lots of ways to describe what that looks like. "Cup your hands over your knees," "Hold an invisible bubble," etc. Yet some students still insist on playing with flat hand and fingers or tight hands in a claw shape. I wonder if it's because we think that playing should be "hard." In reality, proper hand shape for playing the piano is the most natural way you hold your hands. Try it. Let your hands hand down at your sides. What are your hands like? Held out flat? No. In tight claws? No. Just a slight natural curve in your fingers. All you are doing is taking your natural hand shape and putting it on the keys. Simple. Relaxed. Comfortable. And when you need to reach further, you can straighten your fingers and move your hands as you need to. Lets stop overthinking and stressing kids out about the proper hand shape for piano. It correct shape is only natural.