Chord Fingers Bending
Found in: Musicality, Pedaling, Technique
Laura P., Arizona
One of my students is struggling with playing chords because her fingers are doing what you see in the photos. Can anyone help me know what is going on? Are there any exercises or things we can do to help her?
Mark M., New York
Have her hold a tennis ball or baseball or other small ball like that and, away from the keyboard, “play the chords.” Fingers make the small adjustments to play different chords, but it’s all in the air away from the keyboard.
Marlene H., California
Many ways to help..playing slowly for sure. I have their hand relax over their kneecap
Deb K., South Dakota
With the beginner chord players I have 5 fingers over 5 keys and tell the to pretend their hand is a butterfly landing. 2 feet down 1st, middle finger gets drink , fingers 2 and 4 are wings i help to hold up. Then the practice jumping up and down in place and up and down a key. I tell them these fingers will get stronger on their own
Scott J., Australia
i talk to my kids whilst they do it so as to take the thinking away.Get them to tell me about their week whilst they repeat the exercise.I have found its due to tension and as soon as they relax they discover that they don’t need to be so rigid.Bless her also tell her its perfectly normal and not to worry and keep moving forward to other songs so she doesn’t feel she is failing.The chords will come at some point so dont even make to much of an issue over it š
Ian B., California
Use a practice pad or tabletop to demonstrate and practice pressing down the fingers without letting them curve backwards.
Even if the student gets this and starts practicing it they may take months before it stays.
Sandy B., California
I pretend Iām blowing soap bubbles and they are to carefully catch it and not make it pop as they bring it to the keyboard. Lifting fingers too high makes it float away. Bending the fingers too much makes it pop. Works pretty good. They have to relax to gently grab it
Rebecca N., Utah
She does appear to have a double joint or two so lightening up the pressure and focusing on playing on the tips may also help
Orignal discussion started November 19, 2020
