On Piano Playing : Motion, Sound, and Expression...

[barnowl]

...by Gyorgy Sandor

Has anyone read it? Got an opinion on it?

The book is for sale at a mere $68.95    at amazon, and I wonder what level a pianist should be to benefit from it?

[pianistimo]

if u buy it, can u let us know how u like it?  guess it's like movies.  u wait for the library to get it sometimes.  was horrified at the cost of uni textbooks last year.  one textbook was like 1/2 inch thick and paperback cover and was in the $60. range. 

[barnowl]

if u buy it, can u let us know how u like it?  guess it's like movies.  u wait for the library to get it sometimes.  was horrified at the cost of uni textbooks last year.  one textbook was like 1/2 inch thick and paperback cover and was in the $60. range. 

LOL. Hell, I'm a beginner. Gyorgy-boy couldn't be talking to me. But you gave me an idea. 

I'll give the library a shot tomorrow. They bought a $40 book for me, probably a year ago. Maybe they'll buy this one. Come to think of it, maybe it's somewhere in the Connecticut library system. If it is, they'll get it.

Whatever happens, Pianistimo, I'll let you know. That's a promise.

[mrdaveux]

It is an excellent book. Recommended for anyone serious about performing or teaching.

I didn't pay that much for it though, I thing I got it for $40.

[barnowl]

I called the library and Natasha (I keep running into Russians) said she'll see if it's available on Inter-library Loan. This system is statewide, so every public library in Conecticut is a possibile source.

"If it's not, will you buy the book? It's expensive."

"I'll recommend it," Natasha replied.

Natasha promised to keep me updated. As I will you all. I get the feeling of redundancy, though, what with Mr. Daveux's favorable pronouncement.

Perhaps we'll hear from him again with a more elaborate commentary, or maybe others will drop by with a review.

[pianistimo]

someone else on pf in another thread mentioned how teachers rarely focus on sound (or maybe it was a pm) anyway, i agreed - because often we are so worried about just hitting the right notes.  but, am realizing the importance of motion, sound,a nd expression.  i can't imagine he would write only for advanced students - because if u learn it from the very beginning - u are listening for it.  a good sound and what motion gives u what. 

at the risk of repeating something i was just told verbatum --which would be hard because inevitably have my own 'take' --but balance and center of balance has a lot to do with motion.  there's a center of the hand that takes groups of notes easily - and if u are off balance some notes come out too loud/soft/or messed up.

now. expression - hmm.  that is sort of like musicality isn't it.  for me this has been a most disturbing and perplexing situation.  i think i'm passionate and my teacher thought i played like a fish.  was he trying to get MORE out of me. i go home needing my windshield wipers for m y face - and then -- all of a sudden it hits me.  i have to find my feelings.  they are just less obvious than some other people's.  first - i pinch myslef all over.  then, i read about the four temperaments.  that helped A LOT.  then, i think -pfooey.  if i was supposed to be 'sanguine' - i'd be stuck in one temperament.  i think i have a lot of feelings and their all mixed together depending on what i'm playing.  maybe - the more i get into it - u have to be like an actor and exaggerate for the AUDIENCE.  u can hear urself in ur mind -but it comes out different to an audience if u don't exaggerate a bit.  and, with practice to exaggerate past the point and then pull back.

[barnowl]

You've almost certainly have read the page at,

https://www.compleatpianist.com/weeklytips.htm

...Pianistimo. but if you haven't, this might interest you. Others, too, perhaps.

[bearzinthehood]

I've read this book.  IMO this is a book for advanced pianists or teachers and is of little to no value to a beginner.

[palika dunno]

mh...I have the complete book as a pdf file...write me a private message if you want it...