| When you start playing the piano you are starting a | | | | As you look down at your fingers, you should not be |
| new and exciting hobby for life. Here are some tips to | | | | able to see the tips of your finger nails. Keep your |
| on how to place your hands correctly on the piano. | | | | finger nails short to enable good placement of your |
| Sit at your piano and allow your arms to hang loosely | | | | hands. |
| by your side. Swing them gently for a moment and | | | | Your 3 longest fingers should be placed just beyond |
| then let them rest. Notice the shape of your relaxed | | | | the edge of the black keys. |
| hands. They are curved. This is the natural shape that | | | | Try this exercise. Move your index finger on and off |
| you will use to play the piano. | | | | the nearest black key. You should be able to do this |
| Bend your arms at the elbows and place your relaxed, | | | | without moving your arm backwards and forwards. |
| curved fingers onto any adjacent white keys. Make | | | | The finger should move on and off the black key |
| sure that both thumbs are on the white keys. Your | | | | easily. |
| thumbs should be placed about 1cm from the edge of | | | | When you move your hand to a different part of the |
| the piano. Allow your 4 fingers to gently curve | | | | piano, move across the keys. It is tempting to move |
| downwards. Your thumbs help you balance your | | | | backwards, along and then back in again. Brush your |
| forearm. | | | | fingers gently over the top of the black keys. |
| Your knuckles should be the highest part of your hand. | | | | |