Pinky Finger Conundrum

Hello everyone!

I’ve been a self-taught pianist for 15 years, and just recently noticed a frustrating habit—my pinky finger sticks up whenever I play fast passages. A masterclass instructor compared this to “walking with your hand raised and tense,” which made me realize I need to work on it. I’ve been trying to keep my pinky relaxed and close to the keys, but breaking this habit is tough.

Has anyone else struggled with this, or have tips on fixing it? Thanks!