Tinky Winky

[lisztener]

When I play, my 5:h finger is often pointing up.  Is this a problem in the injourious aspects?  I've read a lot about tensing, and of course it's not a good thing..  But is it a big issue for me to think about?
Espessialy when I play with the 1:st and 4:th fingers the 5:th is pointing up a bit.   Even when I play slow it's difficult..  Can you get better at relaxing it by some kind of practice?

[gruffalo]

Used to have this problem when i was younger. try practicing more scales whilst keeping your hand in a rounded shape. release the tension, it is probably because your hand is to tense. just try and relax as much as possible.

[quantum]

This may be a good thing, depending on it's degree of extent.  Could you post a picture?

Extending your pinky allows your hand a more open position, that allows a greater variety of movement and less tension in the wrists.  If done properly it stretches the muscles in a good way that can relieve strain. 

[gruffalo]

but then it cant be good moving around fast passages. you need flexibility in all your fingers when scattering around the keyboard at a fast pace.

[thalbergmad]

My pinky (only on my right hand), sticks up in the air, but only when i am going up the piano.

[quantum]

but then it cant be good moving around fast passages. you need flexibility in all your fingers when scattering around the keyboard at a fast pace.

There are different kinds of fast passages with different kinds of touches.  For most purposes you would want to play with an open hand position and your pinky extended.  I find it takes more muscular force to maintain a closed hand with moving fingers then a stretched hand with moving fingers.  Un-needed muscular tention is what we are trying to avoid.  Open handed position also resolves manny problems with pain or tension in wrists and forearms, that many people complain about when performing taxing passages. 

Does that mean playing with a closed hand position all fingers including pinky are close together is wrong?  No it doesn't.  You use this position when the notes you need to play fall well under the hand in such a position.  You may also need this position when you need to play with extreme velocity. 

[lisztener]

Thanks for your replies!
In for example Chopins nocturne op 9   nr 1     in the left arm ostinato, my 5th finger is a bit tensed (not too much but)  I can't relax it when playing that F with my thumb. I guess it's because of the speed.

And I can't post any images I'm afraid , sorry
Enjoy life