How to relax the body when playing the piano
Like with any new activity we try or a challenging task we undertake, it’s quite normal to feel tense when playing the piano. However, it’s important to learn how to relax so that you can carry on playing without causing injury to your body and also without getting immediately tired. Only the muscles that you need to play should be working hard, the rest of you can just focus on relaxing. Here are a few tips you can try to teach your body how to relax every time you play the piano.
Breathe - This might seem obvious, but tension can sometimes cause us to forget to breathe properly and contribute to our body feeling stressed. Watch out for how you breathe when you are focusing on playing a difficult piece and keep working on fixing any bad habits you might have unconsciously developed when practicing.
Keep your shoulders down - Playing the piano definitely doesn’t require your shoulders to tense up all the way to your ears! Again, pay attention to what the rest of your body does when you start playing. If you notice your shoulders raising up, relax them and repeat until you remember to avoid doing it every time you play.
Tidy up your surroundings - The cause of tension can sometimes also come from our surroundings. If you’re playing somewhere that’s messy and filthy, you will find it harder to relax, focus, and enjoy your playing. Taking a moment to clean the environment you play in could significantly benefit your mood.
Try wrist and hand exercises - Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you are bound to feel some pain in the wrists and hands after playing the piano for a certain length of time. A good thing to add to your routine are some easy wrist and hand stretches you can do before and after playing. This way, you can prevent injury and also ease any pain.
Keep things fun - If you’re struggling to relax because you play the same difficult piece over and over, then the best way to help yourself is to take a break from that piece and try something different. Obsessing over the same difficult passage puts a lot of pressure on your hands and tenses up the body. Try alternating the complex pieces with the fun ones so that you give your body a chance to take a breather.
Ask advice from your teacher - Ultimately, what can help you the most with your posture and relaxation is your teacher. Getting tailored advice on your playing is highly valuable and is the most effective way to identify any issues that might be stopping you from reaching the next level in your playing. Never feel too shy to share any difficulties you might encounter when playing the piano with your teacher, they’re there to help you!
I hope that these tips help you become increasingly more relaxed. Playing the piano can be incredibly soothing and peaceful once you manage to release the tension and focus on the positives!