Join Penelope Roskell, Trinity Laban Conservatoire professor and author of the magisterial book 'The Complete Pianist,' in this 12-lesson series as she shows you the fundamental movements that form The Pillars of Piano Technique. In this introductory video, Roskell explains why it is important to balance and coordinate the whole body as you play the piano, and offers constructive practicing guidelines to keep healthy while you develop your free and effortless technique.

In lesson 10 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell discusses a very common movement we use routinely, often without noticing we are doing it: forward and back movements. Roskell shows you exercises to eliminate arm tension that often inhibits these natural movements, so you may move freely forward and back between white and black keys.

In lesson 11 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell shows you how to develop a free, effortless, forearm rotation – one of the most essential movements in piano playing.

In lesson 2 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell shows you her warm-up sequence for releasing tension in the neck, shoulders, and arms, and bringing blood to the hands before playing.These exercises prepare the arms for all the fundamental movements which lie at the heart of effortless piano playing.

In lesson 3 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell shows you how to achieve a comfortable and balanced sitting posture allowing for full freedom of movement around the keyboard. Good posture will help you move with freedom and strength and avoid aches and pains.

In lesson 4 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell demonstrates the “Parachute touch,” the essential movement at the core of a singing cantabile sound. Pianists of all levels, from beginners right through to professional, can use this touch. While the exercises seem very simple, they are fundamental to an advanced pianist's movements and can be developed and refined for application in even the most virtuosic of pieces.

In lesson 5 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell applies the parachute touch to chords and octaves in order to achieve a beautiful sound with minimum effort. The secret to effortless chordal playing has to do with harnessing gravity, rather than applying pressure, when striking the keys.

The Hand and Finger

In lesson 6 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell demonstrates two essential movements that engage the intrinsic hand muscles and allow the fingers greater independence, speed, and control. Practicing the "nimble finger touch" and "singing finger touch" will strengthen your hand arch in a very natural way, and are particularly useful for a pianist with weak hands and collapsing knuckles.

In lesson 7 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell demonstrates technical exercises that will help you play scales as you would want to play them in pieces of music: fluently, with ease, and with a beautiful sound. The exercises help to develop a light arm, solidify fingering positions, and work out the thumb for both ascending and descending scales. Roskell also shares her own original insights on ergonomic alternatives to standard scale fingerings.

In lesson 8 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell shows you how to develop the flowing arm movements necessary for playing smooth, accurate, and powerful arpeggios. The principles she demonstrates will help you build your arpeggio technique from the ground up.

In lesson 9 of The Pillars of Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell demonstrates exercises to help you play leaps with freedom and accuracy. Lateral movements can be frightening, especially across wide spans. Roskell offers practice tips that will reduce your anxiety and build your confidence in even the most treacherous leaps.