I just started playing piano 6 days ago and i could use some help

[thisguy123]

hey i just started playing piano a few days ago and i would appreciate any Constructive criticism. thanks a lot!

[pianotanten]

Hello! First of all, if you play like this after only 6 days you are ahead of many! Congratulations! However- I assume that you are teaching yourself? You should maybe look into the option of having at least a few piano lessons with a good piano teacher. S/he will help you with first of all your hand position, and sitting height. You can see from the video that your right hand is very tense. This will cause you pain eventually. Quick fix: Raise your piano bench so that your elbows  (with your hands in a "cupped" position and fingertips resting on the keys) have about a 90 degree angle with your upper arm. Now you are sitting too low, and it makes your hands "hang" down from the keys- resulting in the tense hand position. Once you have a good hand, arm and sitting position, also try to practice some simple finger exercises in a five finger position everyday so that you gradually build up strength and flexibility in your fingers. I have a few tips here if you like: https://www.play-the-piano.org/piano-exercises.html
Good luck!

[quantum]

You already have a good sense of pulse, very good for a beginner. 

What is of immediate concern is your hand position.  I've known people that have used a similar hand shape for many many years, and now it causes them pain and impedes their ability to play.  Fix it now while you are still starting, it will be a lot easier than after it has become an ingrained bad habit. 

Support your wrist with your forearm, do not let it hang over the keys.  You need to form an arch with your hand.  Right now that arch is collapsed at your knuckles, and is especially pronounced with your 5th finger.  The knuckles need to be peaks not valleys.  In the AC/DC piece your RH fingertips were a bit too inward, almost under the knuckle joint, try to extend your fingers more. 

pianotanten is correct, you need a teacher to show you correct posture and playing position.  It is an investment that will greatly benefit you.

[thisguy123]

thanks a lot for the tips. i'll work on the hand positioning so i don't end up screwing up my wrists. i really appreciate it. I'm going to post a few more videos on youtube soon, i'll post a link to those once i get them up. any tips on those would be appreciated.
thanks a lot!

[ingunite]

I second the advice about correcting your sitting position (too low, and perhaps too close to the piano) and hand placement. Your fingers look very tense and uncomfortably scrunched because your forearms and arms are held too low. Remember, the playing movement should start from your shoulders. Some students place a sheet of paper or paperback on top of the wrist/hand and try to keep it on while playing a short scale. Among other things, it keeps an excessive and unnecessary finger and wrist bobbing in check.
Best of luck. I have no doubt you'll be making speedy progress!

[jimbo320]

I've been teaching myself for a year now. I used to play bass guitar and six string guitars by ear when I was younger. Now I'm 59, limited to the use of only my right hand due to an accident, I thought I'd give the keyboard a try. At least I finally learned to read, lol.
I guess the one piece of advice to offer you is to pay attention to your hand position and when you first learn a piece, figure out the best comfortable fingering required to play in a flowing manner.
Your 4th and 5th fingers are the weakest, mainly due to not using them a lot, so work on them. Try to use them instead of your 1st, 2nd and 3rd on tasks like pulling a door or picking something up, ect. By using the 4th and 5th more than usual you'll gain strength and agility.
Good luck, James

[keyboardclass]

Bench height and tension are not really that linked.  Don't allow any tension - your hand needs to feel like dead meat as it rests on the keyboard.

[thisguy123]

thanks again for all the help. I'm trying to incorporate all the advice into my playing, and its helping a lot. All suggestions are greatly appreciated! thanks again everyone =]

[thisguy123]

thanks for the feedback, i'm workin on relaxing my fingers and making playing more natural. i'm going to be putting a few more videos up on that youtube account in the link at the top if you wanted to check those out i think i'm getting a lot better.
thanks mucho!