Piano Technique (HOW to play)

The Italian pianist Vanessa Benelli Mosell (b 1988) sums up my thoughts in her quote: "Technique is just a way to achieve expression, and sometimes a difficult passage can be solved by thinking about what you are trying to express; they are one thing together." Sometimes I hear younger musicians sneer at any interest in developing a pianistic technique. They may say things such as "just express your heart". Usually their experience of piano teaching is scanty, if they've done any teaching at all. So  "just express your heart" sounds lovely, fuzzy [and rather post-modern], but pupils who have reached grade 8 level appreciate that there is so much more required than just 'expressing your heart'. My most advanced pupils are also very likely to need absolutely NO prompting to ask questions regarding how to master difficulties in pieces. Fingering is only one issue: but often when I suggest alternative fingering, the improvement is immediate and these pupils are quick to acknowledge the transformation.  RSI (repetitive strain injury) is caused by bad practice technique and (if unchecked) can ruin a professional career due to the pain in the arms/back etc. 
I strongly advise pupils NOT to sit cross-legged: you need to be ready to pedal. It is also excellent for balance when roaming around the full length of the seven octaves: both feet need tone flat on the ground to keep you balanced! 

​Footnote: some pupils are just plain stubborn
​and don't want to admit that they are wrong.....