wrist level?

[frank_48]

exactly how loose are the wrists supposed to be when playing piano? at any point are they supposed to drop below key level for phrasing purposes? or to absorb a loud chord? im not quite sure how to explain it, but has anyone heard of what level your wrists are supposed to be when playing? im not talking about rotation of the wrist, just up and down movment that goes below the keys.

[rmbarbosa]

I think wrists must be more or less at keyboard level. Under this level it`s quite possible to feel some tension, wich is not good for health and for performance. But for scales, a moderate lift of the wrist may be very useful. The same for harps: please, put your right hand fingers with an angle <> 90º in relation to the keyboard, then pull down a key with your thumb, then in sequence with your other fingers, with a circular mouvement. You will see you have now a greater amplitude being able to play much more than one octave extension and without any tension (in a circle, de half-perimeter is > diameter, isnt it?). In this case, your wrist is in a higher position.
Best wishes
Rui

[stevebob]

exactly how loose are the wrists supposed to be when playing piano? at any point are they supposed to drop below key level for phrasing purposes? or to absorb a loud chord? im not quite sure how to explain it, but has anyone heard of what level your wrists are supposed to be when playing? im not talking about rotation of the wrist, just up and down movment that goes below the keys.

I would say that it depends—within a reasonable range, anyway.  Above all, avoid extremes.

As to looseness, the wrist should neither be rigid nor flaccid.  Flexibility and suppleness are what's needed.

The height of the wrists can be expected to vary depending on many variables.  The important thing is that they not be kept or held in a fixed position.  All parts of the body should be free to move naturally to the extent necessary (and only to that extent); any artificial restraint of that movement introduces tension.

In short, the wrists should be as loose as they need to be and at the height that they need to be at any given moment for the task at hand.  Different types of passages, played with various articulations and dynamics, have differing requirements.

It should be mentioned that any prolonged playing with the wrists excessively low (i.e., below the level of the keys) is especially unsound.  The same is true for typing—notwithstanding that most keyboards have fold-out legs that can raise the back end.  That's precisely the opposite of an ergonomically correct position; causing the knuckles to be elevated relative to the wrists puts a significant strain on the tendons on the backs of the hands that pass over the wrists.

[birba]

I like to PRACTISE at different levels.  The lower you sit, the more you work your fingers.  The higher you sit, the more you use your arms.

[biscuitroxy12]

i would say that they should just be mostly flat, but when you have to play a long, loud note, sink your wrists down into the piano and when you have to play a lighter, make your wrist loose and raise it up above the key more.

[mazeppa]

In my personal experience:

After I learned to relax, I never pay attention to the specific level of my wrists -- I relax them, 100% (or at least as humanly possible). Note that I also sit very low..at least to the point where my elbows sit (I don't like the word "bend") at 90 degrees.

Hope this helps!

[proftom]

Wrists (according to my teacher) should be level with fingers on a horizontal angle.  NOT touching the board, bit mildli loose but when playing chords i hit the keys hard so my wrists vary!!!