Relaxing exercises.

[faa2010]

I am in a piano workshop where the teacher points out my issues at playing.

First I was stunned that the piece I had to play, Sonatina 6 no3 of Clementi, has a Vivace part.

However, after practicing the part, my speed has increased.

The problem my teacher has pointed out was that I am very tense and it is noted in the way I put my fingers and that I dont' move my arms.

As I told him, when my arms, wrists and hands are tense, I don't feel that they are tense, and that I have battled with my pinkies which were still and now they aren't.

He told me to take some relaxing exercises for my arms and wrists.  That if I can relax them, I can play faster.

What exercises would you recommend me?

[kujiraya]

Firstly, you need to be aware when you are actually tense, so I would suggest that, away from the piano,  you practise tensing up different muscles, then letting them go floppy, until you can easily recognize the difference. You can try just dropping your shoulders and arms, letting everything hang loose with gravity, and shake your hands and forearm until they feel loose. If you are really having difficulty relaxing, then dimming the lights, putting on some relaxation music, aromatherapy, picturing mental images of serene scenarios and even a gentle massage could help.

Then, when you know how to relax and can tell the difference between a relaxed state and a tense state, you can go back to the piano, but be vigilant about when you start feeling any tension starting to build up, and stop. Try to work out what is wrong with your technique, that is causing the increased tension, or ask your teacher. Ask your teacher about how to improve your technique (eg, posture, positions, movements, etc) to avoid the build up of tension, and practise these new techniques.

Later, whenever you are playing the piano, use the improved techniques that you've learnt to avoid the build-up of tension, and also stay vigilant about any tension that starts to build up during your playing, and to adjust and correct yourself as you continue to play, using the proper techniques that you've learnt to get rid of the developing tension.