Using Spatial Awareness and Alexander Technique at the Piano
Have you ever taken a moment to notice the space behind you?
Take a seat at the piano–or at your desk–and bring your attention to the space behind you. What does that feel like?
When I do this at the piano, I feel an expansion through my back. It reminds me of the large muscles (like the lats) that support my arms, and I find it easier to access those muscles when I play.
Most of our lives take place in front of us. Whether we’re playing piano, cooking dinner, or checking out at a grocery store, we rarely think about our backs. Our attention—and our tasks—are almost always forward-facing.
But that constant forward orientation can leave us a bit off balance. After all, we’re three-dimensional beings.
When I present this idea in lessons, my students usually feel a difference right away. Simply noticing the space behind us can be surprisingly powerful for pianists (and organists too!).
We can also become aware of the space in front of us, above us, and to our sides. It’s a gentle way to warm up in the room where we’re playing—and a way to prepare ourselves to move with awareness of our whole selves.
At first, this kind of awareness might feel unrelated to piano playing. But it’s actually quite relevant. When we become hyper-focused—especially when facing a difficult passage—our bodies tend to tighten. It’s the opposite of what we need at that moment—and it often restricts our technique.
In addition, that kind of laser focus narrows our sensory input. We might miss something—especially if we’re collaborating with other musicians.
Cultivating awareness of the space around us is a way to prevent our tendency to contract when things become challenging. It allows us to expand rather than collapse inward. And when we expand, we often experience more freedom at the piano—physically and musically.
If the idea of noticing space while you’re playing sounds difficult, I get it. Since it’s likely new, I recommend trying it with a piece that is simple—and preferably unfamiliar—so you’re not relying on habits or distracted by tough passages.
If we’re willing to let it feel unfamiliar for a few moments, we might be surprised by what happens afterward. You might even notice unexpected improvements—not only in your playing, but in your teaching as well.
That might sound surprising, but when we expand our awareness of space, we become more receptive to sensory input. Our listening opens up—we hear things we couldn’t before. The same is true of our vision. If we use a practice like soft eyes, we begin to see our students more holistically, and we can offer feedback that’s more accurate, appropriate, and helpful.
If you’re the type of teacher who values professional development, then this is a really simple practice to add to your toolkit. If you find it helpful and want more Alexander Technique tools to support your teaching, you can download our free PDF guide. It will introduce you to simple practices you can start using right away. If you choose to join our mailing list, you’ll also receive weekly tips to keep the momentum going.
Let me know what you think of this practice in the comments—I’d love to hear your experience.