Small Hands on a Grand Piano: Understanding Individual Differences and Approaches for Small-Handed Pianists

Abstract

Abstract Having small hands is often seen as a downside for pianists because the majority of standard repertoire in the Romantic era contain large hand-spanned passages which cause challenges for people with small hands. According to research from the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are often found among musicians, especially pianists. The researchers found that pianists with smaller hands tend to excessively contort their digits in order to play chords and octaves, which leads to a higher risk of developing PRMDs. However, I believe these issues and the pianist’s or instructor’s ignorance about the physical aspects of piano playing are the cause of PRMDs and not necessarily the size of the hand. It is one’s approach to the instrument that causes the injuries which can be prevented by using the correct techniques that are appropriate for one’s hand shape. As an educator, having an awareness of student’s individual needs is crucial. I would like to provide a balanced perspective on different hand shapes and sizes, and offer practical solutions when working with students with different hands shapes and sizes, especially small ones.