Sandor and Fink? What're they all about?

[mosis]

I have heard much mention about the Sandor and Fink books, complete with videos, that have helped many people in their piano technique and practice methods. However, when I went to search for Fink at Amazon, I found many books by him. Regarding both of the authors, who is the best, and which book(s) are the best to buy?

Are there any other books which would be helpful?

[xvimbi]

I have heard much mention about the Sandor and Fink books, complete with videos, that have helped many people in their piano technique and practice methods. However, when I went to search for Fink at Amazon, I found many books by him. Regarding both of the authors, who is the best, and which book(s) are the best to buy?

Are there any other books which would be helpful?

There are several threads on this forum that deal with books that are recommended. I consider the Sandor book and the Fink books "standard repertoir". I also recommend Thomas Mark's "What every pianists needs to know about the body".

[Spatula]

Don't forget the freebie but good book by Chang.

[Piazzo22]

Don't forget the freebie but good book by Chang.

It´s ok but Chang´s not a pianist.

[xvimbi]

It´s ok but Chang´s not a pianist.

What makes one a pianist? And, does your statement mean any advice from this forum's members is useless, because practically nobody here is a "pianist"?

[Spatula]

At least I know I'm a spatula.  It's a fact! 

If Chang is not a pianist, then he wouldn't write the book. 

[mosis]

I think we get the point that you're a spatula. You don't have to reiterate that point in every single post you make.

Chang isn't a pianist. He's a physicist.

[glBelgedin]

I guess you better define "pianist" for us. Last I checked CC could infact play the piano.

[mosis]

He does not play or teach piano for a living. He doesn't not regularly exercise piano pedagogy or performance.

[Spatula]

So you mean only the people who PERFORM piano for money as an occupation or teach it are "pianists?"

And the ones who are still learning it and aren't the next Arrau are not even remotely called pianists?

Please clarify.

I define pianist as: someone who has or is currently studying the art of piano through practice and performance.


www.dictionary.com has the following definition:

3 entries found for pianist.
pi·an·ist    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (p-nst, p-nst)
n.
One who plays the piano.
 
Perhaps your definition is one that actually has "mastered" the art.  Very well then.

[jazzyprof]

He does not play or teach piano for a living. He doesn't not regularly exercise piano pedagogy or performance.

Are you about to make a point here?

[Piazzo22]

He does not play or teach piano for a living. He doesn't not regularly exercise piano pedagogy or performance.

Exactly.
We all know Sandor´s activities.

[Piazzo22]

So you mean only the people who PERFORM piano for money as an occupation or teach it are "pianists?"

And the ones who are still learning it and aren't the next Arrau are not even remotely called pianists?

Please clarify.

I define pianist as: someone who has or is currently studying the art of piano through practice and performance.


www.dictionary.com has the following definition:

3 entries found for pianist.
pi·an·ist    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (p-nst, p-nst)
n.
One who plays the piano.
 
Perhaps your definition is one that actually has "mastered" the art.  Very well then.

You don´t call a guy who practices swimming once a week for pleasure a swimmer.

[Piazzo22]

It´s ok but Chang´s not a pianist.

What makes one a pianist? And, does your statement mean any advice from this forum's members is useless, because practically nobody here is a "pianist"?

But Mosis is looking for a well written book by a pianist.

[mosis]

Would you call Yanni a pianist? Would you call the guy who plays the keyboard for Evanescene a pianist?

I don't know, but it takes a bit more dedication than just a bit of dabbling or playing in your earlier years to be a pianist.

No doubt Chang has played piano, but as he has stated, he wrote the book to express practice methods that work based on the science of learning. He does not go into technique because he doesn't have great technique himself, and his book is great for those similar to him.

In the bigger picture, I wouldn't say Chang is a pianist.

And if you want to get technical, I never said I was looking for books written by pianists. I was asking about the Sandor and Fink books.

[glBelgedin]

Chang has been playing most of his life, as I recall. That hardly seems like dabbling to me. Your definition of pianist is asinine at best, and your analogies are even more ridiculous.

[Piazzo22]

Would you call Yanni a pianist? Would you call the guy who plays the keyboard for Evanescene a pianist?

I don't know, but it takes a bit more dedication than just a bit of dabbling or playing in your earlier years to be a pianist.

No doubt Chang has played piano, but as he has stated, he wrote the book to express practice methods that work based on the science of learning. He does not go into technique because he doesn't have great technique himself, and his book is great for those similar to him.

In the bigger picture, I wouldn't say Chang is a pianist.

And if you want to get technical, I never said I was looking for books written by pianists. I was asking about the Sandor and Fink books.

Well, they´re both pianists. 

[Spatula]

I never did say anything about dabbling did I?

I specifically said that they study the art of the piano.

I define pianist as: someone who has or is currently studying the art of piano through practice and performance.

[Piazzo22]

I never did say anything about dabbling did I?

I specifically said that they study the art of the piano.

I define pianist as: someone who has or is currently studying the art of piano through practice and performance.

It´s ok, but to be a pianist is a profession. Like being a butcher.

[timothy42b]

I never did say anything about dabbling did I?

I specifically said that they study the art of the piano.

I define pianist as: someone who has or is currently studying the art of piano through practice and performance.

It´s ok, but to be a pianist is a profession. Like being a butcher.

Well, now, wait a minute.  Butchering is a trade, not a profession, at least by the standard definition.

A trade is characterized by a unique body of skills.

A profession is characterized by a unique body of knowledge. 

Sometimes this gets tricky.  A plumber has to know a lot of things, but mainly his/her work depends on how well he fastens pipe, tightens fittings, etc.  Nursing is clearly a trade by this definition, as they have no body of knowledge distinct from medicine, but a large body of skills (they have chosen to make a big deal of being a profession;  I think they would have been better off holding out for more pay.)  Being an engineer depends on knowledge, and a fair number of good engineers can't fix their own car or lawnmower. 

Now, which is it for piano?  I believe it is skill, broadly defined, and therefore being a performing pianist is a noble trade, not a profession. 

[Daniel_piano]

Would you call Yanni a pianist? Would you call the guy who plays the keyboard for Evanescene a pianist?

Uhmm, I don't know
There a lot of famous composer/pianists that never took formal lessons but started playing them themselves when they were young
Now, I would call them pianist

Now, I swim several days at week
It my sport, not my profession
Though, even if I'm not a professional swimmer people call me a swimmer

So the question should be
Are you a pianist even though you're not a professional pianist?
The question depends on the skill and the amount of time devoted to piano

Anyway, if piano is your profession your skill doesn't count
So, someone doing pianobar, playing the piano for a group or doing just three chord to accompany a singer is anyway a pianist and that's how is called

Bottom line: since in the vocabolary there's no a different word for professional virtuoso with diploma pianist and not so advanced pianist we should all be more specific using the terms:

"prefessional virtuoso pianist"
"professional less advanced pianist"
"professional virtuoso piano concertist"
"amateur virtuoso pianist"
"amateur less advanced pianist"
"dedicated piano student"
"more sporadically dedicated piano student"
"dedicated piano plunker"
"more sporadically dedicated piano plunker"

Now, who should I contact to have these added in the Merriam? 

Daniel

[Spatula]

I give up. 

[sirpazhan]

Would you call Yanni a pianist? Would you call the guy who plays the keyboard for Evanescene a pianist?

I don't know, but it takes a bit more dedication than just a bit of dabbling or playing in your earlier years to be a pianist.

No doubt Chang has played piano, but as he has stated, he wrote the book to express practice methods that work based on the science of learning. He does not go into technique because he doesn't have great technique himself, and his book is great for those similar to him.

In the bigger picture, I wouldn't say Chang is a pianist.

And if you want to get technical, I never said I was looking for books written by pianists. I was asking about the Sandor and Fink books.

How can you compare Yanni to some lome playing the piano in an Evanescene video?  Just because Yanni does not play classical music doesnt mean he's not a pianist,, actually Yanni is more talented than most of the classical pianist out there,, since he is also composer,, not someone who just goes around playing beethoven or chopin -- He must be doing something right,, since he's probably the most richest pianist/composer living today .

[tocca]

Changs book is definately worth reading. It's free, just download and read, and there are lots of good advices in it.
There are some things in i don't agree 100% with, but that might as well be my shortcoming or lack of understanding.

Read the book, don't take everything in it for granted. Try out some of the advices if you are sceptic.

I've read Sandors book: On Piano playing. It's a good book with good illustrations, pictures and explanations of different technice amongst other things.
As for Fink, he's written a book called: Mastering piano technique, that is highly regarded, and has a video that can be bought alongside it. I haven't read this one though.

I don't really know much about Changs pianistic abilities, it seems he's been doing a lot of research though and that is an area i believe he excel in!

Well, as long as you don't take everything in it as the absolute truth...what's there to loose?

[MarkAllison]

Read the book, don't take everything in it for granted. Try out some of the advices if you are sceptic.

That's sound advice. I've read the book, and I wondered if it was true. I tried it out and found that it works. Simple as that. Chang does recommend the Sandor and Fink books, but I've got enough on my plate at the moment - maybe in a few years I'll look at those. But, Chang's book, my piano teacher, this forum and my own dedication is all I need at the moment to make rapid progress!

[Glissando]

I'm reading Sandor's book right now- found it at the library. It's fantastic!
It's also $55.00 from amazon.com , so check your library before ordering.