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Overcome challenges with the fourth finger

Alan helps a student improve their fugue performance by addressing hand positioning, finger contr...

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23 Apr 2025 07:03 Intermediate

Rethinking the musical approach to Bach's WTK 2 D major prelude

Alan demonstrates how understanding the compositional structure of Bach's challenging prelude req...

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21 Apr 2025 11:25 Beginner

The importance of standing fingers for rich, exalted sound

Proper finger posture—keeping fingers 'standing' rather than relaxed or twisted—creates richer ha...

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20 Apr 2025 06:23 Intermediate

Improving finger technique for better sound and less fatigue

Alan demonstrates how proper finger positioning—keeping fingertips up and thumbs down—produces ri...

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15 Apr 2025 12:49 Intermediate

How to overcome hand fatigue with proper joint positioning [Chopin's barcarolle]

Keeping knuckles raised and properly activating the hand for more power and less tiredness during...

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06 Apr 2025 06:41 Beginner

Transforming tired piano playing into effortless performance

Alan demonstrates how improper hand positioning causes fatigue while playing, comparing bent knuc...

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05 Apr 2025 06:41 Intermediate

The hand grows into a nice arch

A hand arch exercise. We should always strive for this feeling

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01 Apr 2025 05:49 Beginner

Hand push

A series of exercises around the hand push

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24 Mar 2025 07:57 Beginner

Feel your sitsbones

Every time we do these, they are different

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07 Feb 2025 05:12 Beginner

Learning difficult piano music

You can or can't learn the notes but what will help you tremendously is putting the musical thoug...

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19 Jan 2025 02:26 Beginner

Pinky is the strongest finger in the hand

Alan talks about the hypothenar muscles and how can we use them (better)

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15 Jan 2025 04:43 Intermediate

1 question in the queue.

Latest Submitted Questions

Hello Alan, i have a question regarding the topic how to sit and play at the piano when you are really tall. I'm at 1.98 m or 6.5 feet. The bench height i'm currently using is at 45 cm, the surface of the keys is at 73 cm. This is also the lowest setting my bench can be adjusted to (lift-bench). I also watched the taubman approach on this topic, to have my arms relatively straight at the height of the keys. To achieve that, I find myself best comfortable at this low level and also to achieve a better control of the keys to really connect to the instrument. When i set the bench too high, my arms feel too strong, i feel that i would slam into the instrument itself and cannot fully control my attack. However, if the bench is too low, my extraordinary long legs come in contact with the underside of the keyboard. Also the question how far away you sit from the piano come to mind. Maybe this is a well known problem for tall people. My last question: Is there a way to know or recognize that i sit at the right height (distance) or is it "trial and error"/ personal preference? Currently making progress via your videos on Chopin Etudes Op. 10 Nr. 1. The forming of the hand arc and the elasticity of the hand helped me truely. Thanks in advance! Marcel Forberg

Marcel Forberg 2 years ago

Hello Alan, i have a question regarding the topic how to sit and play at the piano when you are really tall. I'm at 1.98 m or 6.5 feet. The bench height i'm currently using is at 45 cm, the surface of the keys is at 73 cm. This is also the lowest setting my bench can be adjusted to (lift-bench). I also watched the taubman approach on this topic, to have my arms relatively straight at the height of the keys. To achieve that, I find myself best comfortable at this low level and also to achieve a better control of the keys to really connect to the instrument. When i set the bench too high, my arms feel too strong, i feel that i would slam into the instrument itself and cannot fully control my attack. However, if the bench is too low, my extraordinary long legs come in contact with the underside of the keyboard. Also the question how far away you sit from the piano come to mind. Maybe this is a well known problem for tall people. My last question: Is there a way to know or recognize that i sit at the right height (distance) or is it "trial and error"/ personal preference? Currently making progress via your videos on Chopin Etudes Op. 10 Nr. 1. The forming of the hand arc and the elasticity of the hand helped me truely. Thanks in advance! Marcel Forberg

Marcel Forberg 2 years ago