Where should I hit the keys?

[vccyynne]

Hello!

I’m new to the piano world (picked it up less than 6 months ago) but I’m really enjoying it so far! I will try to work with a teacher next year but in the meantime, I have an issue I’m really struggling with and I can’t find any answer on my own 

Basically, what I’m wondering is: where should I place my fingers in the length (maybe the correct word is “lengthwise”?) of each key, especially when I’m strolling among white and black keys? I know it sounds a bit obscure so I made a short video and a picture of the score (sorry for the inverted video, I had to hold it with my left hand!). I played it two times: first how I think it should be played (I hit the lower part of the keys as much as possible) and how I played it before (fewer hands movements so I hit in the middle part of the keys, but it’s harder to hit and my fingers snag on the next keys).

Do I play it right the first time? I’m not talking about what finger to use or how to hit the keys, but where to hit each key.

What’s the rule? Hit each key in its lower part, as much as possible? So, when hitting black keys, white keys will automatically be hit around the middle of their length.

English is not my first language so I hope I’ve made myself understood! 

Thanks a lot, and have a wonderful day!
Vincent

[lelle]

I could say as a general rule you want to play further out on the key rather than further in, and move your hand in and out as necessary to accomplish this. It's generally a good idea to not lock your hand into one location that feels cramped, but be free and move it as much as you need to feel the most comfortable on each note. When playing both white and black keys you might be playing a bit further in on the white keys than otherwise, but you can still adjust your hand position to something more comfortable when going from a black key to a white key and vice versa.

[quantum]

The part of the keys you play on varies.  The music will frequently be the deciding factor, and the hand follows to play in the most ergonomic manner what the music asks. 

As a general rule, a good starting place is to visualize a line across the keyboard, at the tips of the black keys.  Placing the hand along that line is often the most efficient manner of reaching both white and black keys while minimizing in and out movements.  A good example of this in use is playing chromatic octaves.  In order for this to be successfully employed in playing one must always keep in mind it is a generalization, and the rule is supposed to be bent or broken when there is a more ergonomic solution available. 

Somewhat related to the above guideline, is Chopin's teaching on hand formation:
Place the fingers on E, F#, G#, A#, B. 
Of course the hand is not to remain static in this position, it is meant to move when playing music.
Chopin had his students begin with the B major scale, as he taught that it puts the hand at ease.

There is also a method that proposes that the optimal control of a key can be achieved by playing closer to the edge.  From a physics standpoint this means one is maximizing the length of the key as a lever.  However, the downside to this approach is that playing near the edge of the keys, especially the white keys, is not the most ergonomic and efficient use of the hand.  Again a generalization, one should not rigidly adhere to this position.  It is probably the most effective when the hand plays single note melodies, and one is after utmost tonal control.  It is probably least effective for playing fast passage work. 

Chords often need some fingers to be placed between the black keys, to achieve optimal hand ergonomics.  For example, D major chord with its inversions.

Although the above is a small sampling of techniques, it illustrates different playing situations can call for different placement of the fingers on the keys.

[vccyynne]

Thanks to both of you, it's very clear and your answers are very comprehensive!

I'm glad to read there is not one rigid answer but many flexible guidelines.

Again, thank you!