Sweaty hands

L-M

Does anyone else’s hands get sweaty while playing piano? Sometimes my fingers slip or hit the wrong keys because of it. I don’t really want to stop mid-song just to wipe my hands — any tips?😢

Simonb

Hi, I've only ever had this once, and that was due to nerves at a gig. I was playing at a professional Jazz festival. Our Sax player was a pro (the rest of us weren't!) and she lived next door to the organiser of this festival, and got our group in as a 'local' band.

It was utterly terrifying, as we ended up playing mostly to the real artists or their relatives, as we were put on before most of the public arrived.

If nerves aren't your problem, then sorry, no, I don't know what to suggest.

Cheers

HeartKeys

Yes. But in my case it’s sweaty and then dry when I blow on it, and then it sticks to the keys. Very annoying.

I’ve learned to get better at just immersing myself in the music versus the audience and that seems to help!

twocats

Oh yes, here's my thread on it. I've just learned to live with it, actually I prefer sweaty to very dry and I can't seem to find a solid medium.

L-M

Thank you for all your reply❤️

plop_symphony

I use a hand lotion called Carpe. It makes your fingers a bit chalkier, and you can feel the sweat getting blocked from coming out of your skin. It's relatively expensive, so I don't follow the instructions to use it twice a day nor even use it every time I play the piano - I only use it in a higher stress situation such as making a recording or giving a public performance.

twocats

plop_symphony does any of it get on the keys?

plop_symphony

twocats No, it doesn't rub off. Far better for the keys than having to wipe sweat off of them.

twocats

plop_symphony nice, I may look into it! I do need a little bit of grip and if my hands are too dry, it's worse than if they are very sweaty.