There are a number of reasons why a pianist can develop hand problems. A major reason is forcing the hand and fingers to work in awkward positions. The best position for playing the piano is with the wrist in a straight line with the arm. Even at this position, however, stretching the fingers to hold certain notes can stress the tendons that allow them to work. These tendons are especially subject to harm because they stretch over the multiple joints in each finger. Using excessive force when playing the piano can also lead to harm over time, especially for a pianist who plays at length. Constant use of the hand and fingers in general will strain the muscles that work them, increasing the risk of injury.
A good way to loosen up the muscles and tendons in your hands and forearms is to do some simple stretching techniques before playing the piano. These are easy to do and will help relieve stress that can build up in those areas. Take a ball the size of a tennis ball and roll your forearm across it for about a minute on each side, then rest for 30 seconds. Do the same thing against your wrist and hand for a minute, then rest for 30 seconds. Stretch the fingers by intertwining them and pushing them out to stretch each tendon. These exercises can be repeated throughout the day. They not only help prevent injury but also promote swiftness and quick movements of the fingers in playing.
Simple exercises on the piano that use repetitive movements of the fingers can help develop flexibility in the fingers and hands. Playing quick successions of notes that slowly move higher across an octave is one way to do this. Simply learning to play these notes is not what the exercise is intended for. The pianist should also pay attention to is the placement of the hands and forearm, which should be straight and parallel to the ground. The keys should be struck with a motionless hand, meaning only the fingers are moving, and each finger should strike the key with the same amount of force. This means compensating for the weaker fingers, like the pinkie and ring finger. Focusing on the technique of playing will help improve dexterity, finesse and stamina.
The Taubman Approach is an exercise and way of playing developed by Dorothy Taubman. It focuses on three things: alignment, balance and movement. By focusing on these there things, the Taubman Approach seeks to allow pianists to play without stress on any parts of the hand and forearm. Pianists who perform playing exercises using this approach practice and implement proper ergonomics to ensure they hold themselves in a natural, comfortable position. Proper movement of the fingers in relation to the hand and forearm, as well as the force applied to the keys, is also practiced to elicit the best sound possible from the piano.