Notes from the pianist's bench
Boris Berman, an internationally known Russian-trained concert pianist and highly respected teacher, here draws on his vast experience to explore issues of piano technique and music interpretation. Combining explanations and advice with anecdotes about his students, colleagues, and former teachers, he also provides many insights into the psychological aspects of musical performance and the teaching of music. Berman thoroughly examines such practical matters in piano playing as sound and touch, technique, pedaling, and articulation. He gives tips on choosing editions, selecting the best fingering, memorizing, and making the most efficient use of practice time. He gives equal emphasis to issues of interpretation, discussing ways to decipher the inner content of a piece of music. And he offers suggestions about how to prepare emotionally for a performance, how to confront stage anxiety, and how to adapt teaching approaches to the individual students. Informative and entertaining, this book will be welcomed by piano students, teachers, and anyone else interested in the art of piano playing [Publisher description]
xi, 223 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
9780300083750, 9780300093988, 0300083750, 0300093985
43701697
Sound and touch
Technique
Articulation and phrasing
Matters of time
Pedaling
Practicing
Deciphering the composer's message
Seeing the big picture
Technique of the soul
At the performance (and prior to it)
The art of teaching and the art of learning