On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression: Amazon.ca: Gyorgy Sandor: Books

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

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4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for healthy, efficient piano technique, May 5 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression (Paperback)

This remarkable book is perhaps the most outstanding written resource available to pianists pursuing efficient, effective, pain-free technique
on their instrument. In a little over 200 pages, Sandor provides an exceptionally thorough and readable analysis of piano technique with ample
diagrams, photographs, and musical samples. At every turn he displays a detailed understanding of human physiology and the means to use it
to produce musical effect without excess strain,
effort, or injury. Very impressive, very accessible, it's a "must-read".

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5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally useful book on efficient technique, May 19 2004

By

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression (Paperback)

This is an exceptionally useful book on piano playing. Mr. Sandor is himself a virtuoso and has helped many gifted pianists develop virtuoso technique over the years. The writing in the book is simple and clear. The book is organized quite logically.

The book is in three parts. The first discusses the facts of the piano mechanism and what can and can't be done at the piano. Mr. Sandor also discusses the physiology of the parts of the human body that go into piano playing from the fingers through the back (and the feet for the pedals). What I like about his descriptions is his emphasis on coordinating the various elements without strain, pressure, or awkwardness.

The second part introduces Mr. Sandor's own notation for marking up scores in relation to technique (which I found surprisingly helpful in understanding his concepts). He also introduces the various means of playing. Some people like what he says here, some reject this or that. What I like most is his way of helping the pianist gain the maximum ability to play the piano by getting out of his own way. Mr. Sandor simplifies things so you don't waste time trying to do things from awkward positions or through impossibly contradictory methods. You will find this skill common to all great instructors trying to teach students. So much can be gained by just being coordinated and efficient. But what seems simple after the instruction was hopelessly obscure before the master showed you the simple way.

The third part of the book is about taking these techniques and applying them in making music. The author addresses how to recognize when to use the various patterns - how to combine them. He discusses pedals, practicing, memorization, and performance tips. He is always so supportive of the student. For example, in memorization, he discusses that this is a legacy of Liszt and that many wonderful pianists use the open score in performance and it is quite often used in making recordings. He also says that simply because you might have a memory slip does not indicate that you don't know the piece. It is a human frailty to get distracted and that you should simply get back to it and work a little more without becoming discouraged.

Really, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and found some things that are helping me and I think you will be able to find things that will help you.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide to piano technique, Sep 28 2002

By

Robert Badger (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression (Paperback)

I am an organist. Nevertheless, I found this book profoundly helpful in developing a good keyboard technique. While it won't help the organist with pedalling (you would have to consult Gleason on that one!), it will help you develop a solid and flawless keyboard technique. The organist must base his or her organ technique on a good piano technique. Even though the fingering is slightly different from the piano to the organ, much can be gained from Sandor. I would highly reccommend this book to any organist or pianist. It is a good, common sense guide to piano technique. Gone are Hanon and Czerny!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Common Sense
I believe Mr. Sandor's (pronounced SHAHN-dor, BTW) book to be the best book on piano technique out there. It's a bit pricey, but worth it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Technique based on anatomy and physiology
This is one of the few books on piano technique which deals with factual, objective, anatomic, physiological and cognitive issues rather than with subjective views based on... Read more

Published on Aug 30 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars A solid read
This book is worth reading for beginners and intermediate students of the piano. For the advanced student, it should be relatively basic. Read more