What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body

There is simply no point in buying literature on piano technique if you are unaware of how the body is designed to work. So This is the book that any young budding pianist should seriously think about buying for it fills in all the gaps. When the body is working properly the performerShould NEVER experience PAIN, DISCOMFORT, or TIREDNESS, which will inevitably lead to serious HAND INJURIES . For that reason I wholeheartedly recommend this book,and my reason for the (5) STAR RATING.

Very good to inform about correct body, arm and hand positions. Would be better if there were an accompanying video download that could be bought to demonstrate the information in the book.

Too often in many activities, people don't recognize their bad habits until attention is called to them. Such was the case with me, but studying this book and applying the knowledge therein has done wonders for my playing.I injured myself shortly after purchasing this book (acute muscle injury to my right forearm and acute ulnar nerve injury at my left forearm - at the same time!), and a day later, after reaching the section regarding the forearms, I discovered why it happened. Since adjusting the body map of my forearms according to the information in the book, my playing - in spite of the fact that my injuries are still in the healing stages - no longer causes me pain.No less, the proper mapping of my entire upper body has improved fluidity, speed, accuracy, and tone quality in my playing.The book is coherently laid-out, as well as clear and concise in its descriptions. The different areas of the body are logically sectioned out, and the subsections are organized in the same manner.The anatomical diagrams are, for the most part, very easy to follow. A few of them were unclear to me, but when supplemented by the reading, they were not problematic.Abstract knowledge is not the only thing this book has to offer. Detailed activities are described and suggested at many points in the text so you may directly explore the structures and movements of your body while reading.Further along in the book are sections on how to map breathing (in order to prevent more unnecessary tension) and the piano itself (to be an extension of the body map).The final chapter is devoted to discussing injury, including the causes and types that occur.The principles contained in the book are useful not only for playing the piano, but for all day-to-day movements. In fact, it seems to be crucial that one apply them universally at all times to reap the maximum benefit and more quickly adapt to these new (read: natural) ways of movement.I've read some complaints in other reviews that the book doesn't focus on technique. This is true, but addressing technique is not the book's intended purpose - at least not directly. The knowledge in this book does, however, provide a solid foundation upon which you can more rapidly and effectively improve your technique.

Ce n'est pas un livre, c'est une mine d'or ou une révélation pour qui veut chercher l'harmonie entre son corps, le piano et la musique.Les schémas tout comme les explications sont clairs, efficaces.Bravo et merci pour tous ces "secrets" que trop peu de gens (et surtout de professeurs !) connaissent.

Studying this book can offer you insight into the physiology involved in playing a keyboard instrument and even if you don't play keyboards the information is valuable so that you know how your body works and can avoid problems.