Ideal piano fingers exhibit balanced proportions, long and slender digits, and a relaxed yet controlled posture. However, with proper training and technique, individuals of various hand shapes and sizes can develop dexterous and expressive piano-playing abilities.

Finger positions are the key to learning to play the piano quickly and well.

The first rule of piano fingering is that the shorter fingers play the longer keys, and the longer fingers play the shorter keys. The shorter fingers are the thumb and pinky, fingers 1 and 5. The longer fingers are the index, middle and ring fingers, fingers 2, 3 and 4.