Journal · Video
How to Relax Your Hands and Wrists When Playing Piano
12 min 23 sec ·
This video accompanies the Journal essay — “Relax Your Wrist.” But How Does the Body Actually Become Relaxed? — from The PianoWell System. Watch it here, then read the full essay for the complete argument and detailed study.
About this video
Why is it so difficult to relax your hands and wrists while playing the piano — even when you know that you are tense? An exploration of wrist and elbow movement, musical intention, inner hearing, and the mental and emotional processes behind physical tension.
Relaxation is usually taught as something to do. Yet if a pianist knew how to be relaxed while playing, the tension would not be there — which suggests the wrist may be the last place to look.