​Piano lessons and the importance of relaxation

Playing the piano should be the most relaxing experience of your day, at least from a muscular point of view. One of the key elements of good piano technique is learning to disengage those muscles that are not directly involved in the act of playing. Since the fingers do not have enough mass to comfortably support the resistance of the keys, we need to direct all the weight of our arms to their tips. For this reason, we place great emphasis on developing the muscles of our fingers so that we can achieve amplification of our dynamic range while keeping all the stress in our system under control. According to our studies, when using the Scaramuzza piano technique, the fingers act as the fundamental and most frequently applied element of pianistic movement. It is actually used in 85% of cases and is by far the best choice for playing legato melodic passages as well as classical scales crisply. It is essential to perfect an optimal activation mechanism to ensure a well-defined tone quality as well as a quick reaction speed. Learning to lift the fingers – to place them in a position ready to play – contributes to touch uniformity, so important when it comes to achieving that stylistic transparency sought after by classical pianists.

Playing the piano is not just about pressing the right keys at the right time, it requires a lot of physical effort and muscle coordination. Therefore, it is essential to learn the correct technique to avoid stress injuries and improve your playing. The Scaramuzza piano technique, named after its creator, the Argentine pianist Vicente Scaramuzza, is one of the most widely used techniques in classical piano training. It is based on the idea of using the fingers as the main element of pianistic movement and learning to disengage the muscles that are not involved in the act of playing.

The technique involves a lot of finger exercises to develop finger strength and flexibility. These exercises aim to train the fingers to move independently and to lift and place them quickly and accurately on the keys. This is particularly important for legato playing, where the aim is to achieve a smooth, connected sound between notes. The Scaramuzza technique also focuses on using the weight of the arms to produce sound, rather than relying solely on the fingers. This allows the pianist to produce a wider dynamic range and a richer tone.

In conclusion, playing the piano is not only a mental exercise but also a physical one. The Scaramuzza piano technique is one of the most effective methods to improve your playing, particularly in terms of finger strength, flexibility and independence. It is essential to learn the correct technique to avoid stress injuries and improve your playing, and the Scaramuzza technique is a great place to start. With practice and dedication, you can achieve a smooth, connected sound and a wider dynamic range, and become a better pianist.