Piano Piano Technique & Performance

Question 1

What is the correct wrist position when playing the piano to prevent injury?

Accepted Answer

Wrists level with or slightly above the keyboard

Answer

Keeping the wrists level with or slightly above the keyboard promotes free movement and reduces tension and risk of injury.

Question 2

Which pedal on a grand piano sustains all notes currently being played?

Accepted Answer

Damper pedal

Answer

The damper pedal (rightmost pedal) lifts all the dampers, allowing strings to vibrate freely and sustaining all notes played.

Question 3

What musical term describes playing notes in a smooth, connected manner?

Accepted Answer

Legato

Answer

Legato means to play notes smoothly and connectedly, with no silence between them.

Question 4

What does a staccato marking above a note indicate?

Accepted Answer

Play the note short and detached

Answer

Staccato, indicated by a dot above or below a note, means to play it short and detached, typically about half its written value.

Question 5

What hand position best prevents tension and injury during piano practice?

Accepted Answer

Curved fingers with a rounded hand arch

Answer

Curved fingers with a naturally rounded hand arch distribute weight evenly and allow flexible, injury-free movement.

Piano Practice Test