Issue #3 Notes from The Music Hub March 23, 2025

Beginning Pianist Mistake #2

This week, I'm continuing my series on mistakes beginner pianists often make.

The picture above is a snapshot from the song demonstration video from Lesson 21, in which I demonstrate both the proper way to tuck the thumb under other fingers and the improper way.

Do you know if the picture above is the correct way or the incorrect way? What gives the answer away?

The answer is: the above picture demonstrates incorrect technique!

Do you see how my wrist is angled toward the keyboard instead of straight on? The wrist and fingers should always be straight on toward the keyboard.

Even though you can't see my whole arm and shoulder in this pic, it is the movement of the arm and shoulder that is causing this effect.

When you lift your elbow to tuck your thumb under your finger, it causes this contortion in the wrist. In the long run, it can strain the wrist.

Try it and see what happens!

Place your curved fingers on any flat surface like a table, or you can do this at your piano. Now lift your elbow. Notice the change in your wrist and the slight tension that is created when you're trying to maintain contact between your fingers and the keys/table. Also noticed the tension in your shoulder. Your muscles are overworking while lifting your arm.

These bad habits can lead to injury over time because your muscles and tendons are under pressure and are working too hard while playing.

And it looks bad, too, to swing your elbows out and up while you're playing.

I like to tell my young students, "No flappy chicken wings!"

It's a funny way to remember to keep your elbows down and let your fingers do the quiet work of tucking under and crossing over as you go up and down the keyboard.

Tucking the thumb under and crossing fingers over is often associated with scales, but the technique is used anytime there is a melody with a string of notes that is greater than the number of fingers we have in one hand!

I go over all the details in Lesson 21!

What's new inside the app!

Lesson 21 has been added to Beginner Level 2! It is all about crossing the fingers over and tucking the thumb under.

Thank you for being a valued member of The Music Hub Community!

Please contact me by responding to this email if you have any questions or concerns!

Happy Music Making!

Heather Niemi Savage, composer, pianist & educator

Founder of The Music Hub