Photo: Ron Lach

How short should your nails be to play piano?

pianocentralstudios.com - Finger Nails on the Piano: Why Shorter is Best

How do students prepare for the piano exam?

9 Things You Need to Know Before Your Next Piano Exam Be prepared. The most important thing is to be prepared. ... Tempo, tempo, tempo. ... Rhythm...

Last updated Aug 23, 2019

Do open pianos sound better?

But there's more. Because the sound of a piano starts inside the instrument with all of those strings and mechanical parts, you'll get a louder,...

Last updated Oct 10, 2019

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

Clickety, Clickety, Clickety…it’s similar to nails on a chalkboard, just a little bit worse. For any piano teacher, the sound of nails clicking on the keys as a student plays ranks as one of the worst sounds known to man. Maybe that’s a bit extreme, but you get the picture. In truth, nail length is more than just your instructor’s personal preference; your nails will either help or hinder your performing ability.

What’s Considered a “Short” Nail?

The exact length may depend some on preference, but generally, your nails should be short enough for you to be able to easily feel the key with the entire, flsehy pad of your finger. You don’t want to have to make any hand, wrist, or arm position changes to try and accommodate your long finger nails. It’s not worth it. While shorter nails might not be the look you’re going for, choosing to keep them nice and trim will enhance your playing in a few different ways: Maintain a curved hand position: Shorter nails give you the option of maintaining a curved and relaxed hand position. By curving your fingers, you make each one nearly the same length, giving each finger equal playing ability. A curved position also equates to less tension as you play. More control: Being able to feel the key with the pad of your finger gives you a better touch on the keyboard, allowing you to play with greater control. Greater speed: For trickier passages, there’s nothing like short finger nails. Think about it. Your French manicure may be absolutely gorgeous, but it won’t be of great assistance when you try and play anything fast. Long nails will simply get in the way and trip you up! More expression: Shorter nails give you the opportunity of greater expression in your playing. Being able to feel the key with the entire pad of your finger allows you greater control of the depth of the keys and consequently, greater dynamic contrast and sensitivity.

Disadvantage of Longer Nails

Sound: As mentioned, the clicking sound of nails on the keyboard not only annoys, but can easily distract both performer and listener. You don’t want to the only thing your audience hears and remembers from your performance to be your clicking nails. Sloppiness: Long nails make keeping your fingers on the keys rather challenging. The longer they are, the more your fingers slip and slide all over the keys. Nothing ruins a good performance faster than sloppy playing. Injury: Not only do longer finger nails negatively affect your performance, but they also increase your chances of injury. Hard to imagine, but people have caught their nails in between keys and badly ripped the nail…ouch. To think all the pain could have been easily avoided!

Help yourself, your teacher, and your audience—trim those nails!

Is playing piano stressful?

Stress Relief Studies show that people who play the piano can relax, experience less overall anxiety, and feel more positive overall. Along with...

Last updated Nov 26, 2018

Why is the F chord so hard?

One of the reasons the F chord is difficult to play is because it's positioned on the 1st fret of your guitar. A good rule of thumb to remember is...

Last updated Apr 3, 2022

Promotion

What IQ is gifted?

Although there are no standard IQ levels of intellectual giftedness, some experts suggest the following IQ ranges: Mildly gifted: 115 to 129. Moderately gifted: 130 to 144. ighly gifted: 145 to 159.

scholastic.com - How Can I Tell If My Child Is Gifted? - Scholastic

That’s not an easy question to answer — even the experts in the field of gifted and talented education disagree on exactly what giftedness is. Some believe that giftedness is the development of any talent. Others believe it should be restricted to the academic realm. Still others feel that giftedness is development in children that is not typical for their chronological age. To make things even more difficult, there exists a range of giftedness. Mildly gifted children learn faster than most of their same-age peers, know numbers and letters early, and are good talkers by age 3. Moderately gifted children love being read to at a very early age and know when to turn the page. By age 2, they know many letters and colors. They ask questions until they drive you crazy. Children who are highly or exceptionally gifted do things even earlier and faster. Although there are no standard IQ levels of intellectual giftedness, some experts suggest the following IQ ranges:

Mildly gifted: 115 to 129

Moderately gifted: 130 to 144

ighly gifted: 145 to 159

Exceptionally gifted: 160 +

But it’s important to note that success in life comes from perseverance and resilience and from having support and love for who you are, not a high IQ. In addition, all children have gifts, and they tend to unwrap those gifts at different times, so love and enjoy your child as she is, and prize each new accomplishment.

What's the easiest song to karaoke?

The List: Best Easy Songs to Sing Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. ... Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. ... Knockin' on Heaven's Door by...

Last updated May 3, 2020

What is America's favorite instrument?

It might surprise you to know that 21 million Americans play the piano! No wonder it is number 1 on our list. Jun 10, 2015

Last updated May 15, 2020

Promotion

Is Casio China or Japan?

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. (カシオ計算機株式会社, Kashio Keisanki Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturing corporation...

Last updated Aug 4, 2022

Promotion

What happens if you sleep with socks on?

Improved circulation: By increasing blood flow to the feet, sleeping with socks on helps to improve your circulation. Good circulation ensures a...

Last updated Mar 15, 2021