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I've noticed over the years that when pracitcing my scales (or just playing in very high registers) that it is noticeably more difficult to play at the very high or very low registers of the piano. I feel like this is due to having to rock your body so far to the left or right that you sort of lose balance (or, if you don't move your body, then your arms are strained and "winged" out).
Does anyone else experience this? If so, what have you done to correct it or deal with it?
Thanks.
Sliding as Tim suggests is definitely a possibility, but my teachers always discouraged it. As you noted in the comments it can be difficult to move while pedalling, and it is generally a somewhat awkward and inaccurate movement regardless (especially if the bench is leather or something and you must lift off it to slide down).
I think a combination of leaning and "winging out" as you put it is the best method, so that you don't have to lean too far. As long as you're pushing out your elbows enough, this shouldn't strain you — that comes from twisting your wrists to compensate instead. It may be more tiring to hold your arms out, but I think building up the strength and endurance to do that is important.
Anecdotally, this is the method that Volodos (arguably the best living pianist) uses when he plays:
The simplest is to slide along the seat so that there isn't a great reach any more. With scales, unless they're contrary, make sure your body is central to the central part of whichever scale you play. You may need to start an octave lower, or higher, to compensate. Most people will be able to play to 5 octaves apart, but not very often will the need to stretch more happen.
Given that an 88 note piano measures about 4 ft., and a normal finger span is maybe 5'7" or more, there has to be an angle of around 45 degrees with each hand to the keys. Can't be helped...
My teachers have likewise discouraged sliding on the bench. You should stay in the same position on the bench and shift your hip position (you'll be primarily leaning on one side) so that your back is still perpendicular to the bench, BUT you will be able to reach further up/down the keyboard. It requires some practice to get the balance right.
It seems like a pain now, but when you're playing really fast passages that require using most of the keyboard, you don't have time to physically slide up and down the piano bench. I've not seen any concert pianist who actually slides. Even for instruments like organ and carillon, which have a lot of footwork and it's more natural to move up-and-down the bench, it's still highly encouraged to pivot your hips/feet and stretch instead. It's hard to reorient yourself and establish an accurate center if you're always shifting.
