Stiff fingers

[seymourtom]

I am by nature a very tense person and this comes across when I play as my teacher comments I have stiff fingers.  I have tried various relaxation techniques but have not been able to make much progress.  Any ideas about specific exercises?

[awesom_o]

Have you considered that perhaps it is not your fingers but your understanding of how to use them that is stiff?

I think it's important to mention that we play the piano mainly with our mind, and hands (which are connected via the arms).  The fingers have an important role to play, but I'm very curious as to what your teacher means precisely.

Could you post a video of yourself playing something?

[gregh]

It's easy to stiffen up when you feel awkward, like if you're desperately trying to figure out which note to hit next while you're playing. How are you at playing something old, easy, and comfortable?

[drazh]

play easy pieces and very slowly

[nyiregyhazi]

I am by nature a very tense person and this comes across when I play as my teacher comments I have stiff fingers.  I have tried various relaxation techniques but have not been able to make much progress.  Any ideas about specific exercises?

You're probably overrelaxing useful actions as much as stiffening.

https://pianoscience.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/achieving-effortless-balance-within.html

[hardy_practice]

Yeah, definitely overrelaxing (is that even a word!?).  What you need is a long, long read.