Taubman Approach

[cometear]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums and I am also an improving musician. My first topic that came to mind was to see what people thought of the Taubman approach. Have you ever heard of it? If so how? What do you think of it? Do you ever struggle with physical pain?

[hardy_practice]

If you're pushing boundaries things will get uncomfortable.  Leschetizky used to say it was OK if there's discomfort on the top of the forearm (dorsal) but not under (ventral).

[louispodesta]

My coach, as is known to some at PS, is Thomas Mark, who is the author of "What Every Pianist  Needs To Know About the Body."  He is also a former Taubman practice coach and also a former student of Edna Golandsky and Robert Durso, who both came from Taubman.

The Taubman approach has its origins in the teachings of Tobias Matthay.  If you can get your library through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to get you copies of his writings, they can teach you a lot.

The bottom line is that if the human body is used the way it was designed then you should not be in any pain when you play.

So, as before, I recommend that (for free) you 1) get the Taubman tapes from your library, 2) get a copy of Dr. Mark's book the same way, and 3) visit Thomas Mark's website www.pianomap.com for further discussions on injury and pain.

Since adopting this approach, I no longer play those stupid exercises and scales that I did daily for over 50 years.  My playing is pain free and effortless, which is what I assume is also your goal.

[lelle]

If you're pushing boundaries things will get uncomfortable.  Leschetizky used to say it was OK if there's discomfort on the top of the forearm (dorsal) but not under (ventral).

There should be no discomfort above or under the forearm. It is entirely possible to play without unecessary tension.

[cometear]

My coach, as is known to some at PS, is Thomas Mark, who is the author of "What Every Pianist  Needs To Know About the Body."  He is also a former Taubman practice coach and also a former student of Edna Golandsky and Robert Durso, who both came from Taubman.

The Taubman approach has its origins in the teachings of Tobias Matthay.  If you can get your library through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to get you copies of his writings, they can teach you a lot.

The bottom line is that if the human body is used the way it was designed then you should not be in any pain when you play.

So, as before, I recommend that (for free) you 1) get the Taubman tapes from your library, 2) get a copy of Dr. Mark's book the same way, and 3) visit Thomas Mark's website www.pianomap.com for further discussions on injury and pain.

Since adopting this approach, I no longer play those stupid exercises and scales that I did daily for over 50 years.  My playing is pain free and effortless, which is what I assume is also your goal.

Yes that's great to hear that you also found this method. I am so happy that I am studying such a beautiful method. Thank you for your input.

[michaeljames]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums and I am also an improving musician. My first topic that came to mind was to see what people thought of the Taubman approach. Have you ever heard of it? If so how? What do you think of it? Do you ever struggle with physical pain?

I purchased the Taubman videos (actually they are from Goldansky Institute) and I think there's good information in them.  While I find the physiology interesting and I learned several tips from the videos, I thing they are a bit overpriced. But if money is no object, they are a good investment.

[hardy_practice]

There should be no discomfort above or under the forearm. It is entirely possible to play without unecessary tension.

Not according to Frank Merrick.  Try the Schumann Toccata and get back to me.

[pianoplunker]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums and I am also an improving musician. My first topic that came to mind was to see what people thought of the Taubman approach. Have you ever heard of it? If so how? What do you think of it? Do you ever struggle with physical pain?

Although I have yet to directly study the Taubman approach, I think I have been exposed to it from my piano teachers in my youth. Alot of what I read and see on videos about it seem very familiar to what my teachers were saying. But alas, I oftened fogged over when they were talking about technique. I only cared about making the music, not realizing that all that boring technique stuff is part of the music. One thing I like about the Taubman approach is that technique is always part of the music - not some separate type of excersize like Czerny or Hanon. My bottom line opinion is that the Taubman approach is for real and would be of benefit. The only thing I dont like is the price of the online videos.

[louispodesta]

I am going to give any musician who wants to thoroughly research a new piece, either by recording, or manuscript, some invaluable advice.  That is there is something called Interlibrary Loan (ILL), which is available through most, if not all libraries.

If you want to take a three week look at the Taubman tapes, then you order them through ILL "FOR FREE!"  The same holds true for any recording, score, or book you are considering purchasing.

In that they are almost 20 years old, are the Taubman tapes overpriced?  They are exhorbitantly overpriced!  No problema, just get them from your library por nada.

I am an old hat at this, so I just do it online.  If not, just visit your library, and they will do it for you.

[j_menz]

The same holds true for any recording, score, or book you are considering purchasing.

Ahhh... if only that were true. You evidently have more conventional wants than some of us.