Applied Piano (MUAB) - Piano Technique

Theoretical

A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers: Strategies to Develop the Mind and Body for Optimal Performance - by Gail Berenson, Jacqueline Csurgai-Schmitt, William DeVan, Mitchell Elkiss, Seymour Fink, Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, Barbara Lister-Sink, Robert Mayerovitch, Norman Rosen, Dylan Savage

The Physical Basis of Music - E.T. Jaynes (1922- 1998)

E.T. Jaynes was a physicist and theorist. He was Associate Professor at Stanford University from 1950 -1960. In 1960 he moved to Washington University in St. Louis where he spent much of his time researching quantum electrodynamics. He was also a leader in the field of statistical mechanics. Fortunately for us pianists, as a child he was exposed to the tradition of classical music and studied piano. This eventually resulted in a book entitled, The Physical Basis of Music (unpublished, 1994).

This whole treatise if very interesting, but in particular Chapter 6 is definately worth reading. Here Jaynes gives a worthwhile critique of The Riddle of the Pianist's Finger by Arnold Schultz (New York: Carl Fischer, Inc., 1936; reissued, 1949).

Piano Notes - a resource area by Tak-Shing Chan, Department of Computing, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

This is a great resource but is "no longer maintained." Consequently, I have created a backup copy just in case it ever goes offline.

EMG biofeedback of the abductor pollicis brevis in piano performance

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to apply EMG biofeedback as an auxiliary to piano teaching techniques. We studied the changes in integrated electromyographic activity, using the abductor pollicis brevis functioning as an agonist during the teaching of identical selective movements of piano playing in two groups, one with EMG biofeedback and the other following traditional method of instruction. The analysis of variance revealed an increase in the peak amplitude and the relaxation rate values for the biofeedback group. These results have implications for the application of piano playing techniques and reveal EMG biofeedback as an aid in the teaching of thumb attack with the abductor pollicis brevis as agonist.

Orpheus wounded: The experience of pain in the professional worlds of the piano

Conclusions: None of the three worlds within the field of professional piano playing has adequately confronted the problem of pain, partly because its causes and treatment could be easily assigned to another world. The medical world could blame pain on misuse; the virtuoso world on lack of genius or hard work; the pedagogical world on bad teaching or lack of talent.

Historical

Act of Touch in All its Diversity - by Thobias Matthay (1858-1945). Belmont University Call Number: MT220 .M43

Musical interpretation; its laws and principles, and their application in teaching and performing - by Thobias Matthay (1858-1945).. Belmont University Call Number: MT75 .M44 1970b

On memorizing and playing from memory; and on the laws of practice generally - by Thobias Matthay (1858-1945). Belmont University Call Number: MT82 .M18

The Physiological Mechanics of Piano Technique -- by Otto Ortmann (1962). (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1962)

The Riddle of the Pianist's Finger -- by Arnold Schultz (1936). (New York: Carl Fischer, 1936)

Indispensibles of Piano Playing -- by Abby Whiteside (1952). Belmont University Call Number: MT220 .W542 1961. This is also available on Belmont's ONLINE electronic book format, but you have to log on with your username and password.

Current (since 1980)

With Your Own Two Hands - by Seymour Bernstein (1981). Belmont University Call Number: MT220 .B52

To Hear Ourselves As Others Hear Us: Tape Recording As a Tool in Music Practicing and Teaching -- by J. Boyk (1996). (Saint Louis: MMB Music, 1996)

The Pianist's Guide to Pedaling -- by J. Banowetz (1985). (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985).