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Beginning piano technique: Back to basics "He's just trying it out, so he doesn't need an expert teacher. We'll just go to the most inexpensive teacher we can find until we know he likes it." How many times have we bristled at this kind of statement? We know that the first experience with any new endeavor is the most important, the most lasting. Be...

We all agree that the best solution to problems is to prevent them before they even begin. However, even with our best intentions, problems sometimes arise. Collapsed knuckle bridge Teacher places hands on the student's hands, molding, shaping, and modeling.Start beginning students with a cluster.Descriptive language: "feel the cave," "What could f...

Technique is such a broad term— thousands of pianists with different physical approaches to the instrument play well and (hopefully!) without injuries. But often when we discuss injury-free techniques, we are talking about advanced pianists playing extremely demanding repertoire. Very few of us, however, will ever teach students at this level —a gr...

In the last twenty-five years a great deal of much needed attention has been given to musicians' injuries. It seems, however, that an overwhelming majority of the conference sessions and articles on this topic only address the potential injuries of advanced pianists—either at the collegiate or artist levels. In th...

Subscribers to Keyboard Companion know the importance of a good beginning. And this month's Technique column offers some wonderful tools to help students get started with good technical habits. Marilyn Taggart has made an important contribution to the understanding of teaching piano technique. Her thorough study of physiology has given he...

from the series: Let's Get Physical: Technique Scott McBride Smith, Editor Who was it that said, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach; those who can't teach, teach gym"? Not a piano teacher, obviously! And probably not a gym teacher, either. It's not necessary to be a world famous concert pianist to be a fine teacher, but it is essential...

from the series: Let's Get Physical: Technique I met an old friend while writing my article for this issue of Keyboard Companion. It was great to renew communication after so many years apart - to hear his ideas and be reminded of his wisdom and his warmth. My friend? Robert Schumann. No, I'm not psychic. But I did feel close, again, to the co...

"Have you ever seen a piano teacher as tall as I am?," I asked a 4-year old prospective student at her audition last week. I've learned the wisdom of saying a few calming words to new students when I answer my front door, knowing that my 6'6" height can be intimidating to a small child. This particular little girl looked at me with wide eyes and cl...

Every week, it seems, we hear of another case of pianists' hand and arm problems. Well-known concert performers, up-and- coming young artists, promising students ... the list appears endless, and each pianist's affliction sounds more debilitating than the last. Are these injuries more frequent in today's musical world? Firm statistics are not ...