The Effects of Reversing the Roles of the Hands on the Development of Piano Performance Skill: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reversing the r6les of the two hands during the early stages of learning to play the piano. We transcribed the treble clef parts (traditionally the right hand) from a common piano method book to bass clef, and the bass clef parts (traditionally the left hand) to the treble clef. We then sought to determine the effects of this r6le reversal on the performance skill of beginning piano students. Twenty-four righthanded volunteer participants were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups. Each group received traditional group piano instruction for ten weeks with the only difference being the transcribed parts of the treatment group. A post-test revealed that the treatment group scored significantly higher than the control group in four out of five performance categories. Recommendations were that piano teachers consider reversing the r6les of the two hands during the early stages of piano study.

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