Practising the Piano - Multimedia eBook Series (Part 2)

Mastering Piano Technique

Technique is essential for realising our musical intentions at the piano. Every dynamic nuance must be produced by a technical means, in other words, a physical means. Practising the Piano Part 1 dealt with practice methodology and getting the most out of your practice time. Part 2 focusses on the complex area of piano technique and provides a comprehensive treatise on the subject, showing you exactly how to overcome technical difficulties whilst avoiding tension and injury.

Content

This publication is divided into three main sections:

Section I

The first section starts by looking at the history of piano technique from its early beginnings to the rise of the super virtuoso. Many of the traditional studies and exercises pianists have been practising for generations originally came about as a result of a fallacy in the 19th century. Pianists battling with the increasing technical demands of music written for the instrument believed that all you had to do was make the fingers stronger rather than exploring new ways of playing.

It then goes on to look at posture and healthy ways of moving at the piano, providing suggestions and resources to help you remain physically free, eliminate tension, and prevent and overcome injury.

Section II

The next section deals with the various components of piano technique one by one. It examines the role of the hand and the fingers, the importance of finger independence, the wrist, arm and forearm. It will then show how to coordinate all of this to make your playing easier, more efficient and skilful.

Section III

The last section is a manual of technical exercises based on the material from the previous section, covering exercise regimens, warm-ups, finger exercises, chord playing, octaves, double notes and repeated notes and trills. With plenty of video demonstrations and precise instructions with exercises written out in manuscript you will know exactly which exercises to practise and how they should be done for maximum effect.

Features

• Over 100 video demonstrations
• Almost 1000 bars of musical excerpts including technical exercises and examples from the repertoire
• Numerous diagrams and illustrations

Supported formats and devices

This publication is suitable for viewing on the following devices and platforms:

• Computers (Windows PC and Apple Mac)
• Apple and Android tablets including iPads, Sansung Galaxy Tablets and Amazon Kindle Fire
• Apple and Android mobile phones
• eInk / eReaders including Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook

A PDF version is also available for download and printing.