Russian Piano Method. New book on market

[reminor]

Dear colleagues and music lovers!
 I have published a book which is a unique and exclusive guide for both piano teaching and piano learning.


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rada+Bukhman
 
  Besides examining a variety of means used for musical expression, it explores in detail how to approach each element of piano technique: from preliminary physical exercises away from the piano, to separate work on each finger, to mastery of articulation and motor skills. Helpful photo-illustrations and carefully-crafted technical instructions complement the exercises. In addition to detailed exploration of methods and practical techniques for acquiring musical and technical skills, the book provides a highly original and carefully selected variety of piano repertoire in all genres and styles. There are also many illustrations in the book including photo-illustrations for the exercises and colorful graphical art for children.



https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rada+Bukhman

[birba]

50 bucks for a paperback!?!?!  Seems a bit much when it's already been spelled out by the likes of heinrich neuhaus...
reminor, date registered: TODAY, 4:04:14 a.m.
Gee, i wonder why he joined PS...?

[thalbergmad]

Bloody spammers.

There is far too much of this here.

Thal

[nyiregyhazi]

50 bucks for a paperback!?!?!  Seems a bit much when it's already been spelled out by the likes of heinrich neuhaus...
reminor, date registered: TODAY, 4:04:14 a.m.
Gee, i wonder why he joined PS...?

While I have no idea about how effective this book is, neuhaus scarcely spelled out the first thing about his technical methods in his book. I've heard bits about them through other sources, but his book has really rather little to say about technique and what little there is is not layed out in a terribly prescriptive fashion.

What I know about russian methods is not something commonly seen in books. I think the author would do well to post some excerpts here however, as there's no way I'd pay that kind of money without seeing what is contained within.

[slobone]

I agree, 50 bucks is a lot without seeing at least some sample pages + the table of contents.

But from the description I'm not sure I'd be that interested anyway. Exercises away from the piano and working on fingers individually would be moving in the exact opposite direction from where I want to go. I'm trying to develop a holistic approach coordinating mind, ear, and body to create a musical sound every time I sit down to play. Which in my case doesn't preclude technique exercises, although I admit that sounds somewhat paradoxical.

[birba]

While I have no idea about how effective this book is, neuhaus scarcely spelled out the first thing about his technical methods in his book. I've heard bits about them through other sources, but his book has really rather little to say about technique and what little there is is not layed out in a terribly prescriptive fashion.

What I know about russian methods is not something commonly seen in books. I think the author would do well to post some excerpts here however, as there's no way I'd pay that kind of money without seeing what is contained within.

I'm taking a look again at neuhaus' book, and there are almost 90 pages dedicated to technique.  Not lots of excercises, but many many examples to explain his point.  He also explains HOW to press, strike, stroke, etc. the keys, turning of the thumb, chords, etc.  In short, everything there is to know.  According to "the russian" school.
This so-called technique died out for many years, but I see now that it has become again THE method.  So much so, that people are convinced they can spend 50 bucks for a paperback and actually learn the physical act of lifting the finger and striking the key through a book, and not with someone who has acquired that specific technique.  It's not that easy.  You may think you're on the right path, and then after months of studying with this book, you find that you have it all wrong.  Or at the most, not completely right-
I'm wondering when the book on the "oriental" school will come out.  They've certainly got the pianists to prove their method.  If they have any.

[Bob]

Hey, Maria and Bethany both gave it five stars, both posting their first and only post on March 15th.  Bethany points out it's actually *under* 50 bucks.

I still don't know.  It might be a little dated.  It's been out for 8 days now.  It's getting a big stale.  I like to keep up with current information and thinking.

[reminor]

Dear members, unfortunately I don't have time to answer individually. I can e-mail the Table of Contents to those who are interested in buying my book and will be happy to answer all  your questions in e-mail.

All I can say, Neyhaus have never worked with beginners. My teacher was his pupil from the age 14, she was the youngest. I am influenced by him a lot and his book is a great inspiration for all Russian musicians. However my goal was to offer detailed description of methods used to build solid foundation - musical and pianistical.

You are welcome to write to me:
reminor123@gmail.com

[reminor]

I forgot to mention that the text part of the book (which can be treated as separate book) not for the students, but rather for teachers. You will definitely need a teacher to work on all aspects of piano playing.

The second part of the book-huge selection of music which will cost much more then $50 while buying individually.

[viridian]

Bethany and Maria's reviews don't ring true to me as objective. Moreover, a self-published book in 11"x8.5" format sounds like it's typed in MS Word. Not that that is necessarily bad, but it does sound amateurish.

If you want a good book on piano technique by a modern Russian, try Boris Berman's  Notes from the Pianist's Bench. Berman is a Professor of Piano at Yale University. He was graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where he studied with Lev Oberon. He has played with major orchestras and recorded quite a bit. His book is not for beginners since his teaching is limited to the advanced pianists who come to Yale and in master classes throughout the world. His book is divided into two parts - In the practice room and Shaping up a Performance. I especially liked his first chapter on "Sound and Touch".

 In the chapter on "Technique" he says, "students often ask me to demonstrate the "Russian torture,' as they call it. These requests prompted me to include them here." You can read this section on amazon.com by typing in Russian Torture as keywords and giving your amazon email and password. Of course you probably know that you can type in any keywords, and since Berman covers all the bases, you should be able to see whether this book contains what you need. Good luck!

Viridian

P.S. Amazon's price is $17.04.

[marik1]

I'm taking a look again at neuhaus' book, and there are almost 90 pages dedicated to technique.  Not lots of excercises, but many many examples to explain his point.  He also explains HOW to press, strike, stroke, etc. the keys, turning of the thumb, chords, etc.  In short, everything there is to know.  According to "the russian" school.

Neuhaus was a great artist and somebody who knew to talk and how to present himself. Ironically, out of dozens of greatest Russian experts on the topic of technique, somehow Neuhaus still considered as some kind of great authority. It would be fair to notice that Neuhaus was a great artist and personality, but first, he never had a great technique himself, and second, unlike his other distinguished colleges, he never raised one single virtuoso of stature. Many could bring a few names like Richter, Gilels, etc. That would not be quite fair. Richter was Richter, no matter what, and Gilels never considered Neuhaus his teacher. After all, when Gilels came to Moscow he already was completely accomplished pianist.  

Unfortunately, he mostly did not have idea as for what technique is, just because... he never received systematic pianistic education himself and basically was self-taught. It is quite puzzling how in the world his so called "method" gets so much attention and is associated with "Russian School".

Best, M

[birba]

Someone once said to me, there are no great teachers.  Only great students.  He, himself, was a great pedagogue but realized that the more talented the student, the greater the result.  Look at adele marcus, rosenthal, levhine (both husband and wife).  They worked with the cream of the crop.  They never accepted anyone into their classes who was already less then great.  The same for neuhaus.
That said, i remember in the seventies when i was " making the rounds", the russians were astounding everyone.  It became a "school".  A combination of astounding virtuosity and innate musicianship.  It's also true that the state gave the gifted every possibility for achievement.  They had 10 hours a day at their disposal just for practising.
At any rate, neuhaus' book is very interesting and much food for thought.

[nyiregyhazi]

Dear members, unfortunately I don't have time to answer individually. I can e-mail the Table of Contents to those who are interested in buying my book and will be happy to answer all  your questions in e-mail.

All I can say, Neyhaus have never worked with beginners. My teacher was his pupil from the age 14, she was the youngest. I am influenced by him a lot and his book is a great inspiration for all Russian musicians. However my goal was to offer detailed description of methods used to build solid foundation - musical and pianistical.

You are welcome to write to me:
reminor123@gmail.com

A table of contents tells me nothing about the value of what you have to say on the issues. If you want to sell it, post an excerpt that you feel is representative of the benefits and preferably which offers something different from what is already widely available. Also, printed music is easily obtained for free via IMSLP and is hence of literally no value. How much actual writing is there?

[nyiregyhazi]

I'm taking a look again at neuhaus' book, and there are almost 90 pages dedicated to technique.  Not lots of excercises, but many many examples to explain his point.  He also explains HOW to press, strike, stroke, etc. the keys, turning of the thumb, chords, etc.  In short, everything there is to know.  According to "the russian" school.
This so-called technique died out for many years, but I see now that it has become again THE method.  So much so, that people are convinced they can spend 50 bucks for a paperback and actually learn the physical act of lifting the finger and striking the key through a book, and not with someone who has acquired that specific technique.  It's not that easy.  You may think you're on the right path, and then after months of studying with this book, you find that you have it all wrong.  Or at the most, not completely right-
I'm wondering when the book on the "oriental" school will come out.  They've certainly got the pianists to prove their method.  If they have any.

I remember him talking around technique in a descriptive sense, but I recall very little of prescriptive value when it comes to acquiring the core technique (which I neither had down at the time of reading nor learned the first thing about by doing so). As I remember, it's pretty much all about the kind of musical experiments you can indulge in with success if you truly have the basics down (and with failure and frustration if you don't). There's very little about the procedures that Russian teachers typically use (many of which I've heard attributed to neuhaus' teaching but absent from his book).

It's much easier with a truly great teacher, but I've learned more about technique from Alan Fraser's books than from the majority of teachers I studied with. Very few teachers can show you the basic concept of moving a finger through a key with efficiency. Most just help you do it a little less badly, rather than get to the heart of doing it well. You can learn more from the right descriptions than from a teacher who doesn't touch on the core issues.