Short answer: Hand pain is almost always caused by unnecessary tension. You may be pressing the keys harder than necessary or forgetting to relax your hands between chord changes.
Playing the piano requires effort, but it should never be painful. If you feel burning in your forearms or sharp pain in your wrists, your body is telling you that something in your technique needs attention.
Stop Using More Force Than You Need
A piano key only requires a certain amount of weight to reach the bottom. Once the key is fully depressed, pressing harder won’t make the note sound any louder on an acoustic piano.
Many beginners continue squeezing the keys long after the note has been played. This creates constant tension in the hands and forearms and can quickly lead to discomfort.
Instead, let the natural weight of your arm do most of the work. Once the key is down, release any unnecessary tension while keeping just enough weight to hold the note if needed.
Remember to Relax
Pain can also result from playing without giving your hands a chance to relax.
During practice sessions, make a habit of briefly shaking out your hands or letting your arms hang loosely by your sides whenever you take a short break. Those few seconds of relaxation can make a big difference during longer practice sessions.
Learning to release tension is just as important as learning where to place your fingers. Relaxed hands make piano playing both more comfortable and more enjoyable.
