hands

[rdovidio]

Is it generally good to keep the hands as straight as possible while playing the piano? I've noticed that If I try to turn my hand at the wrist to cover the shape of an arpeggio or a chord or any particular figure really, that it causes sever tension for my whole hand. thanks

[guendola]

Is it generally good to keep the hands as straight as possible while playing the piano? I've noticed that If I try to turn my hand at the wrist to cover the shape of an arpeggio or a chord or any particular figure really, that it causes sever tension for my whole hand. thanks

That is exactly the reason, why you are not supposed to tilt the wrists to the sides. Instead have your forearm straight behind the hand where possible. If that seems impossible, some fingers have to go deeper inside the black keys. These wrist pains aren't just painful, they can lead to serious injuries (well, the cause of them can).

[jinfiesto]

Yes and no. you shouldn't keep your hand in any extended position for any extended period of time. However, facing of the hand is an issue, and at times, turning the hand one way or the other is unavoidable. Know how to manage the tension, it's too much to explain here. I'd ask your teacher.

[dan101]

In fast arpeggios, do not cover the gap in root position right hand with an awkward lateral wrist motion. However, there is a bit of that movement involved, as well as some rotation of the wrist. Keeping your wrists perfectly straight leads to stiffness.

Best of luck.

[keypeg]

The word "wrist" is a fun word.  A wrist is a complex set of joints where hand and forearm meet, and we move things at the point of the wrist.  When the wrist goes up, it's actually the hand tilting down, or maybe hand and forearm tilting down from the wrist at either end.  If you rotate your wrists laterally so that the pinky side of the wrist is up and the thumb side is down, you are actualy doing this along the forearm from the point of the elbow, and the two bones in the forearm start to cross.  Or you can end up tilting the wrist by lifting the whole forearm at the elbow, in which case you are lifting your elbow chicken-wing style from your shoulder and your upper arm is changing angles.
I started playing with that recently.  My elbow was going up, or my hand was angled badly, but when I tried to keep the elbow in while rotating the "wrist" it was a rotation at the forearm and I thought "Hey, aren't they always talking about forearm rotation?  Is that what they mean?" ......... Is it?

[richy321]

Yes, that's rotation.  With your arm in playing position, your forearm should rotate as if your hand is turning a doorknob.  The elbow should not be moving in and out as in a chicken dance.

[keypeg]

Thanks, richy321.  That is very helpful.

[slobone]

Yes, that's rotation.  With your arm in playing position, your forearm should rotate as if your hand is turning a doorknob.  The elbow should not be moving in and out as in a chicken dance.

I love that!