Proper Piano Posture

Poor piano posture can quietly lead to injuries because tension builds in the wrists, shoulders, neck, and lower back over time. When your body isn’t aligned, small muscles overwork, joints compress, and repetitive strain issues can develop even from short practice sessions.

When your posture is right, the notes will feel easier to reach, rhythms will feel steadier, and your sound will be more expressive.

Let's start with the piano bench.

Avoid chairs, especially those with wheels or armwrests. A piano bench is designed to give you full range without getting in the way.

Sit toward the front half, not all the way back. Your feet should rest flat on the floor, ready to support balance. Knees slightly below the keys is a good rule of thumb.

Sit tall, but relaxed. Imagine a string gently lifting the top of your head. Your back stays long without stiffness. You should feel balanced (not braced).

Distance matters too. If your elbows are tucked behind you, you’re too far. If they’re jammed forward, you’re too close. Aim for elbows just in front of your torso so your forearms float naturally over the keys.

Proper piano hand posture starts with the shape. Your fingers should curve naturally, as if you’re loosely holding a small ball. No collapsing knuckles or stiff claws.

Your wrists should stay level with the keys... not drooping and not lifted high. Think of the wrist as a suspension bridge, flexible but stable. If your wrist locks, your fingers lose independence. If it sags, strength disappears.

Try this. Play a simple five-note pattern slowly. Notice how little effort it takes when your hand shape stays relaxed. Now tense your fingers on purpose and feel how clumsy it gets. That contrast matters.

Piano sound doesn’t come from "poking" at the keys.

This is one of the main ways that playing the piano is different than typing on the keyboard.

Proper piano sound comes from the weight of the arm.

Let your arm rest into the keys. Don’t push. Don’t jab. Just allow weight to transfer downward. This creates a fuller tone and reduces fatigue, especially in chords and louder passages.

If you ever feel pain or sharp tension, stop. Adjust posture first before blaming technique. Pain is feedback, not something to power through.

• Leaning forward like you’re reading tiny text.
• Hunched shoulders creeping upward.
• Locked elbows.
• Floating wrists that wobble with every note.

These habits sneak in quietly.

Check in with your body every few minutes. Wiggle your shoulders. Reset your sitting position. Ask yourself, does this feel balanced? If not, fix posture before repeating the passage again.

At first, proper piano posture feels intentional (perhaps even distracting). That’s normal. Over time, it becomes automatic, like sitting comfortably in a favorite chair.

Practice short check-ins rather than forcing constant awareness. Start each piece by resetting posture. Then play. If tension creeps in, pause and reset again.

And don’t worry if it feels tricky at first... everyone adjusts in stages. You’ll get the hang of it.