Piano Forum

Piano Board => Performance => Topic started by: madsfr1234 on February 23, 2008, 07:06:34 PM

Title: Fink Seymour
Post by: madsfr1234 on February 23, 2008, 07:06:34 PM
What do you guys think about Fink Seymour's DvD?
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: thalberg on February 23, 2008, 10:52:35 PM
I keep intending to buy it because I loved his book.
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: will on February 24, 2008, 05:49:53 AM
An excellent accompaniment to the book. Using the DVD alongside the book makes it easier to understand what Seymour is on about.
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: madsfr1234 on February 24, 2008, 08:00:15 AM
Did it work? :D
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: atticus on February 27, 2008, 11:52:43 AM
Hi,

I was thinking of getting this too.  Did anyone that bought the video achieve good results once trying the techiniques?

Thanks,
atticus
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: danny elfboy on February 27, 2008, 04:33:44 PM
Absolutely great stuff !
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: kitty on the keys on February 28, 2008, 12:08:13 PM
I know Seymour, he used to teach about an hour away from me. He did a presentation of his book at a MTNA convention----when he made the video cassette----glad to hear i was re-mastered to DVD. I will order it.
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: kitty on the keys on February 28, 2008, 12:09:46 PM
Is any one also familar with the Alan Fraser book and dvd?


kitty on the keys
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: dmc on February 28, 2008, 07:46:45 PM
Quote
Is any one also familar with the Alan Fraser book and dvd?

I've just started the book and the DVD is on the way.  Too early yet to form an opinion but I'm intrigued by his description of how Feldenkrais applies because I'm working through some injury issues at the moment.  I'll post more when I have some thoughts on it.
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: counterpoint on February 28, 2008, 09:15:31 PM
Just wondering whether his name is Fink Seymour or Seymour Fink  ::)
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: rachfan on February 28, 2008, 10:47:51 PM
Different styles of communication are perceived differently by different people.  I own a ton of performance and repertoire books.  I would have to say that Fink's book was the least useful one to me, along with Abby Whiteside's book.  But that's not to be critical of the authors.  Others obviously are blown away by Fink's ideas.
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: faulty_damper on February 29, 2008, 01:32:48 AM
Hi,

I was thinking of getting this too.  Did anyone that bought the video achieve good results once trying the techiniques?

Thanks,
atticus

I agree that having the video greatly helps understand the book but that is about all that it is useful for.  The video isn't really necessary if you have a good visual/spatial/tactile sense of movement as it just shows the movements.

The practical applications of the book and video are pretty nil because it's main underlying understanding of piano technique is based on generalities of movement.

Here's a practical summary of Fink in one word: Rotation

Any good piano teacher will recognize everything Fink attempts to describe and they are pretty infantile descriptions that miss the point of piano technique.

I bought the book and video for the improvement of my technique but it was pretty useless.  The exercises were also just ridiculously idiotic because it requires co-contraction - not something you want to practice and ingrain in your body.

I really like that one part of the video where is is demonstrating hand-shaping to another chord for a leap.  I wonder just how many takes that took because he seemed so happy he was able to get it right on the first try... ::)
Title: Re: Fink Seymour
Post by: rachfan on February 29, 2008, 04:30:06 AM
Here's another fairly recent dud--"The Craft of Piano Playing" by Alan Fraser.  Save your money and your time!   ;)