Hands

Hand positioning and knowing how to feel your way across the keys is something that you will want to develop as quickly as possible. When you start getting into written music, reading off of the read, you will find it much easier to play if you have a good idea of where your hands are. This will allow you to read the music on the page as opposed to having to look down at your hands to find the notes. There is a good solution to this. If we know our fingers by a number, and if we dedicate each finger to a key, then you will be able work the piano like you might a typewriter or computer keyboard. Every now and then you may need to glance down at your hands, but for the most part, you'll be able to focus on the page in front of you.

Let's look at the numberings on our hands that we use. Please note that these finger numbers are used for the piano primarily. Other instruments, such as guitar, may have a different system.

*((Note: this image will be available under the music reference column as "hands"))*

If you hold your hands out straight in front of you, you will see a mirrored image of fingers and numbers. This is the concept of how to play. When your right hand moves up the right side of the piano, you might want to think about a mirror and how your left hand should look as it moves down the left side. Keep this in mind for future reference.

So let's revisit those exercises I mentioned in the previous lesson. If you place your Right Hand on the keyboard, here is where your fingers will start.

1 finger on C
2 finger on D
3 finger on E
4 finger on F
5 finger on G


Practice moving from C to G, using only the designated finger for its own key. It's best to practice this every time you sit down at the piano so that you can put some strength into your fingers. Play from C to G, then back down G to C. Repeat this with your left hand.

These are both great ways to learn how to feel your way across the keys, and will be a tremendous help later on when tackling the aspect of reading music! Trust me on this! Learn and practice this now, and everything else will be much easier in the future.