Hi all

Just wonder if anyone has good and fast ways to correct sitting (Hunchbacks and swinging legs) and hand postures (curved fingers) for young kids and beginners?

Thank you.

When i was younger, i just had to get told enough times until i got annoyed and started doing it properly. For pianists, its best to have something to put your feet on, even if you cant reach the ground, so just place telephone books/boxes under their feet so that's where they rest their feet (which makes it quite hard for them to swing). My teacher taught me hand posture by getting me to hold my left hand in a fist, and wrap my right hand around the left... she said that's the shape your hand should be in at all times, like you're holding a ball of something (but of course, as you advance, your hands relax a bit more and you dont really take notice of these things)

which instrument are we talking about ?

I had a Grade 3 piano pupil receive a report that stated that "it's not a good idea to play with your legs crossed"!

As teachers, I think we should always pry into what facilities the pupil has at home. The above-mentioned girl turned out to have no proper piano stool and used to sit on the edge of the settee, crossing her legs to keep her balance.

Yes - I know lots of recorder players who play witheir chin tucked on to their chest because no-one has thought to get them a music stand, so all their practice is done with the music flat on the table or next to them on the settee.

As for sitting up straight and not crossing legs, I think constant reminding is the only way to fix that...you only have half an hour a week to get that across!

For hand positions, Pauline Hall has a nice image for younger pupils; imagine your hand is a bridge and there is a little mouse living under it! Don't squish the mouse! This makes them laugh and they remember. Also for young kids, thinking of your hand as binoculars helps to get the idea across...until they start putting their hands up to their eyes every time they have to start playing!!!

Sorry the question is meant for pianist. Thanks for some great ideas shareed. Appreciate very much.

I've stopped referring to mice, bubbles, hands on knees etc. as I find that getting people to let their arms hang loosely at their sides gives a natural, relaxed hand shape which can be lifted up and placed on the piano.

That's fine if your student is over the age of eight or nine. I think if they are very young (six or seven) they need an image they will remember...it also makes their lesson more fun, which is very important for younger kids. Music lessons can be a bit daunting at that age, and I think anything that raises a smile is a good way of showing students that they are allowed to enjoy their lessons. Whatever works for each pupil!