Understanding what to do with the laws of motion and gravity and how to make them work to the advantage of the pianist is what achieves pianistic success. Motion involves the relationship of the finger, to the hand and to the arm, for the movement of any one of these will involve the movement of others. This concept is not a new one, yet the way to achieve this had not been implemented in a way that would help the pianist play in a coordinated way.

The finger has three basic motions;

1. The thrust, or greatly curved position, is assumed when the finger is raised prior to tone production. The finger unbends slightly in descending towards the key but the nail joint remains vertical throughout. This method of playing is most destructive to a free technique because it elicits a dual muscular pull between the flexors and extensors.
2. The clinging finger, also termed the flat finger, limits exertion to the extensor. It plays in a far less curved position, almost entirely unbent. The key is moved with but little change from this position. The clinging action of the finger tends to drag the elbow toward the keyboard, but this tendency must be counterbalanced by allowing a sufficient lapse to intervene in the supporting muscles of the upperarm. This in turn tends to drag the elbow away from the keyboard again to balance the pull of the finger. The clinging finger will create a tight wrist, and lead to tension throughout the entire system.
3. The third form of motion known as the tapping finger is described below represents the correct movement.

The tapping finger is the best method for setting the key in motion. The finger drops from its fulcrum at the hand knuckle (first phalanx and metacarpal bone) in a natural curve. To ascertain the correct movement, hold a pen or pencil in the right hand as if to write with it, then tap finger 2 (the index finger) up and down against the pencil. See Figure 1.3 a) and figure 1.3 b) below
By holding the finger as described above, you have achieved the correct way for the finger to execute its up and down motion.
Fingers 2, 3, 4 and 5 play in exactly the same way, while the thumb plays at a right angle from the hand, unbent from the hand knuckle, on its almost top edge.