- When the music requires you to play notes that are too far apart for one hand to reach.
- When you need to play a rapid succession of notes that require you to use different fingers.
- When you need to create a different tone or effect by using a different hand position.
- When the composer has specifically indicated a change in hand position in the music.
General tips for changing hand positions:
- Keep your wrists relaxed and your fingers curved.
- Move your hands smoothly and quickly without jerking them.
- Practice changing hand positions slowly at first until you become comfortable with the movement.
- Use your fingers to guide the hands into position, rather than relying on your wrists.
- If you're playing a piece of music that requires a lot of hand position changes, practice it slowly and gradually increase the speed as you get more comfortable.
Here are few additional tips that may be helpful:
- When you're about to change hand positions, try to keep your fingers close to the keys so that you don't lose your place.
- If you're playing a piece of music with a lot of chords, practice playing the chords with both hands and without changing hand positions. This will help you to get a feel for the movement of your hands.
- If you're struggling with a particular hand position, try practicing it in front of a mirror. This will help you to see how your hands are positioned and to make adjustments as needed.
With practice, you'll be able to change hand positions quickly and smoothly, and you'll be able to play any music you want without any difficulty.