The Basics

[phan]

This is my first post, so HI!

After playing piano for a couple of years, I've never really learned the basics--or at least I don't think I have. I'm not sure how to ask this, except what are the basic finger positions? I mean, I know that the fingers are supposed to stay curved while playing, but does that always apply? What about when I'm playing arpeggios or octaves? What is a wrong way to hit notes? How about when I'm playing trills? Sorry, that's a lot of questions. To sum everything up, what advice would you give to a beginner concerning how the fingers should look/hit the keys?

Thanks!

[justliam]

Hey, welcome aboard.  first off you can probably find numourous topics on yours questions if you just search the forum.   

[plunkyplink]

The best way to learn what you're asking is to take piano lessons. The teacher would be more than happy to demonstrate and answer all your questions. Do it soon! You don't want to aquire bad habits when you're first learning.

[debussy symbolism]

The best way to learn what you're asking is to take piano lessons. The teacher would be more than happy to demonstrate and answer all your questions. Do it soon! You don't want to aquire bad habits when you're first learning.

Greetings.

Exactly. I think that it is very hard to aquire without the guidance of a skilled teacher, even if you know how to do it, one is not always aware of it. As a student, I am aware of how for example my fingers should be, but don't always pay attention to it. The more the teacher helps you the more you remember, which is always the case. Without the basics, it is practically impossible to have a good sound and a safe technique, and relearning is very difficult. Yes, find a good teacher so that you can aquire the basics. They are very important. Hope this helps.

[phan]

Thank you for the info. 

[bernhard]

Have a look here (The truth is out there… ):

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5767.msg56133.html#msg56133
(huge collection of links)

And yes, a teacher who actually knows this stuff is going to be far more helpful. But where are you going to find him/her?

Best wishes,
Bernhard.