Chopin Hand Position

[sroka]

Chopin stated "We find the position of the hand by placing our fingers on the notes E, F#, G#, A#, [and] B...The long fingers will be found to be on the black keys with the short fingers on the white."

Does this mean that for every piece I learn/practice by Chopin, or perhaps any other piece, my 2,3,4 (long fingers) should always be on  black keys and my 1 and 5 fingers (short) unless notated differently on the actual score?

I am trying to correct my hand position and did some research today, if anyone knows of a link for proper hand position or perhaps a video, that would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time,

-Sroka

[j_menz]

I am trying to correct my hand position

What's wrong with it? If you know that, fix that. If you don't, what makes you think it is wrong in the first place?

Your interpretation of Chopin's comment, though , is wrong. He is merely stating that that is the most natural fit between the hand and the keyboard, not that one should force oneself into it all the time/as much as possible.

[iansinclair]

It should be clear that one cannot play much with the specified hand position!  What it does do, though, is give a sort of a general feeling for a relaxed relationship -- left to right -- between the fingers.  Which, of course, one modifies the instant one starts playing anything.