Piano Forum

There are lots of things to try - it is definitely possible to release tension. Here are a few

1. When you feel the tension coming. Stop playing. Then (without playing) tighten the muscles that are tense until they are even more tense (just for a moment). Then relax them. Then tighten them briefly and relax them. Pay attention to how pleasant the relaxed state is. I found that once I had a good mental picture of the different feelings in the tense and relaxed states it was easier to relax.

2. If you have repeated triplets, do the following exercise using the notes from 2-3 bars, or the whole section once your comfortable with the exercise. Play a triplet at fast tempo, then play the next triplet as though each note were a quarter note (ie 3 times as slow as the original triplet) then play the next triplet fast and the next three times as slow like 123 1..2..3..123 1..2..3 and on like that. Then do the same thing except start with three slow notes before the triplet 1..2..3.. 123 1..2..3.. 123 etc. While you are playing the slow notes, pay attention to getting a relaxed sensation in your hands. When this is comfortable, you can try playing two sets of triples fast, and one slow, two sets fast, one set slow, and keep building up that way until you are relaxed all the way through at tempo.

3. When you notice tension try making yourself take a deep breath while you are playing.

4. When you notice tension, notice if your face and jaw are also tense; if so, concentrate on relaxing them.

Josh Wright has more approaches to relieving tension in his youtubes, many of which I found very helpful, for example,


5. Don't get down on yourself over tension. Tension is a normal response to uncomfortable or awkward physical sensations. If you slip on the ice, your body will tense up. It's natural. As you find more comfortable ways to move, tension will pop up less often.