Leaning

[arih888]

I'm trying to teach my student how to play loudly without using too much finger movement. For instance, instead of aggressively pushing the keys down (which creates a harsh sound), I'm trying to get him to lean with his entire back in order to create a warmer tone. However, he doesn't understand how to convert the leaning pressure to his fingers. In fact, sometimes he begins to lean even before the note is played. How do I get him to understand this kind of movement? Thank you!!

[anacrusis]

I don't think it's the leaning itself that does anything, since tons of players sit with perfectly straight backs and effortlessly produce glorious tone. Are you sure you know yourself what goes into this? I'm not asking to be mean, but in the interest of exploration and learning, because your explanation does not seem to be working for your student.

[arih888]

You're right, I guess there isn't a solid reason why. My best guess is that it works similar to an arm drop, where larger muscles are used to play the keys, which perhaps leads to less tension in the finger muscles and a more relaxed playing state? I've also always leaned into the piano while crescendoing, perhaps it is also a mental/emotional reaction to the music.

[Bob]

You could show them or ask them to come up with different ways of hitting the keys.  Fingers alone?  Sure.  Hand alone?  Sure.   Forearm?  Whole arm?  Body?  And then... a combination of all of those, some more, some less.  Reminder about the finger arch if you're going to press body weight on it.  And a mention that some pianists actually bounce on the seat with body weight if it's that kind of piece.  I'm not thinking of a piece like that.... A video recording would be good though and one that's real, not a mock piece.