eBooks on Technique

[grahamfitch]

Dear Readers - I would like to draw your attention to my new series of eBooks, on technique. There are three volumes, with many video demonstrations, musical examples and (of course) text! Read my latest blog post for the details. https://practisingthepiano.com/new-ebook-technique/

[rmbarbosa]

I should like to know if it is possible to receive your book and videos by mail or if you can send to me by post services. Because I live in Portugal, not in your country.
Thank you.

[thalbergmad]

The internet is plagued with eBooks like this, almost as much as this forum is plagued with people who have no other purpose here other than to hawk their wares, which is against the rules.

Money is far better spent on lessons with actual teachers, and there is not much you cannot find on here or on you tube for nothing.

Thal

[pianistaw]

The internet is plagued with eBooks like this, almost as much as this forum is plagued with people who have no other purpose here other than to hawk their wares, which is against the rules.

Money is far better spent on lessons with actual teachers, and there is not much you cannot find on here or on you tube for nothing.

Thal

Have you actually taken a look at it? It contains sound advice, especially in the practice techniques volume.

I agree that one should obviously have a teacher, but I feel that as a student you sometimes want to get information from somewhere else too...if it were not that way, the Student's Corner wouldn't exist.

And even though it IS hard to explain technique in a book, I think he does the best one can do. Obviously someone should have a teacher for this, but still.

This type of eBook is certainly better suited for writings on technique than books, since the format he is using allows him to have text, audio, video and pictures. Multimedia.

Graham Fitch is himself an established pianist and writes columns in Pianist magazine. It's not like he doesn't know what he is writing about.

[rmbarbosa]

I dont need teachers or piano methods because I have 64 years of piano practice. Yes, 64 years! But I`m allways very curious about new things, I like to see them, there`s allways something new to learn or a new perspective...
Thal is right when he says that this forum doesnt have publicity.
But with this author is different, I think. And I`m very curious about his methods.
Best wishes.
rui

[perfect_pitch]

Graham Fitch is himself an established pianist and writes columns in Pianist magazine. It's not like he doesn't know what he is writing about.

Maybe... but again, the first post used was to advertise for something of monetary value... people try to use this forum to peddle their stuff all the time. If it was free, then it wouldn't break the rules of this forum, but it seems to me like a blatant pitch to try and make more money through selling.

I'm pretty sure that's against the forum rules.

[polishookm]

We all come to a forum like this to try to learn or share something about the piano. So I'm going to try to contribute as if I was driving along next to it on a slip road.

My contributions is this: If you want to read a really focused, thorough, and up-to-date tutorial on piano technique, then here's where it is (it's a link to the book which which this thread began).

https://practisingthepiano.com/new-ebook-technique/

The author is very generous in that there's a lot of information he's placed out on the internet for free. So there's a lot of worthwhile stuff for pianists that that website can lead you to ...

I'm pointing this out because this particular e-book is one of the best resources now available on piano technique. PLUS, it's more innovative than most e-books because its not just simply text and pictures. There are video demonstrations included as well. And on top of this the book is well-written. Meaning, it's well organized and it's very easy to read.

If you're in need of a thoughtful resource about piano technique, a resource that's up-to-date with current research and pedagogy, a resource that's well-written and easy to follow, then https://practisingthepiano.com/new-ebook-technique/ is where you want to look.  In the interests of pianism in general I'm just pointing that out ...

Other books I could recommend (but the link above would be my first choice in any event)

https://www.pianopractice.org/
https://www.amazon.com/On-Piano-Playing-Motion-Expression/dp/0028722809/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385819954&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=gygory+sandor+piano (this one's a bit expensive but ...)

As long as I'm leaving links about ....  some blog posts I've written about the pianos and selecting them and playing them.

https://www.polishookstudio.com/search/label/piano

But, first and foremost, I encourage anyone who wants about the best most concise resource there is to be had these days to take a look at the e-book that's the topic of this thread. You'll learn a lot from it, it'll save you time in the process, and it should be pointed out as the fine book that it is - for students AND teachers AND other professionals.

[thalbergmad]

Graham Fitch is himself an established pianist and writes columns in Pianist magazine. It's not like he doesn't know what he is writing about.

He might well know what he is talking about, but the fact remains that he has posted once, which was an advertisement, and is unlikely to post again unless he has something new to peddle.

I have no time for people who only use this site for self promotion.

Thal

[pianistaw]

He might well know what he is talking about, but the fact remains that he has posted once, which was an advertisement, and is unlikely to post again unless he has something new to peddle.

I have no time for people who only use this site for self promotion.

Thal

Alright, I see what you're saying. Still, the book is worth reading.

[pytheamateur]

The internet is plagued with eBooks like this, almost as much as this forum is plagued with people who have no other purpose here other than to hawk their wares, which is against the rules.

Money is far better spent on lessons with actual teachers, and there is not much you cannot find on here or on you tube for nothing.

Thal

In fairness to Mr Fitch, through his blog he has given the online community a lot of free and useful information on practising the piano.  His e-books are reasonably priced and from his blog you can be confident that they contain good quality information from an experienced professional pianist.  Yes, reading e-books can never be the same as having a teacher, but one will most likely benefit more from reading them than many of the posts from anonymous members with unknown credentials on this forum.

It is all too easy to criticise musicians for advertising themselves, but one should not forget that they have to make a living with music after all.  Here, at least we know he is not selling penis-enlargement pills.  And he is not one of those who have the cheek and pomposity to name the product after himself. 

I think on this occasion his self-advertising is forgivable.

[thalbergmad]

I think on this occasion his self-advertising is forgivable.

Yeh, especially as he actually forgot to post a link to his website on 1 of his 4 posts.

Thal