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Product Description
Product Description
The art of piano playing is not, as many believe, merely a result of one's innate 'musical gift': the only way to improve upon your talent is to practise, and to practise the right way. If you already know the basics, and wish to bring your playing up to a better standard - either for exams, performance, or for personal pleasure - then Improve Your Piano Playing will help you do so. Dr John Meffen shows you how you can dramatically improve your technique. You can erradicate recurring mistakes, and master the art of workable fingering, expressive touch, phrasing, tone production and pedalling. The process of learning a new piece is made simple and accurate with Dr Meffen's tried and tested techniques. Also included is an invaluable chapter on the inner workings of the piano which will help you chose the right piano for your needs and ability.
About the Author
Dr John Meffen MA ARCM LTCL FTCL Cert Ed lives in Darlington, County Durham. John has devoted his life to the study, teaching and performance of music. A Principal Lecturer for many years, he conducted research into keyboard temperaments throughout history and had his work published internationally. John is now the adjudicator member of the British Federation of Festivals, and the Music Secretary of the Darlington Music Festival. He is also the associate conductor of the Darlington Orchestra.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
106 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found new, usable information in this book, despite having studied the piano with several renowned teachers, over nearly three decades. The author integrates just enough up-to-date information on how our nervous systems process and learn new pieces and how best to learn complex passages. He includes several apposite quotations from leading pianists and teachers, without overloading the text with show-off passages. There are no fireworks in this book!
Starting with the basics of piano action Dr Meffen explains how we can use its features to our advantage. There is a good section on practice methods with the pithy comment: "Amateurs practice until they can get it right; professionals practice until they cannot get it wrong.".
The advice on fingering, tone control, phrasing and learning a new piece is common sense for some, but I think that the majority of readers will find something novel here to benefit their pianism. I am just on my third read through now!
The only disappointment for me was the lack of any mention of sight-reading, but this is a short, focussed book, rather than a long, comprehensive text.
In summary, look elsewhere if you want a gushing, idiosyncratic luvvy text; this is down-to-earth stuff that will simply translate into better playing...
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is by far the most interesting and illuminating book I have read on this subject.The approach is from a new angle (i.e. how the brain works when learning), but in a clear and understandable way, devoid of technical jargon .
I would recommend this book to anyone intending to or in the process of learning (the piano or any musical instrument). It would also be of interest to teachers.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dr Meffen has written a valuable book for both aspiring and accomplished pianists. He has successfully managed to convey some difficult concepts concisely and lucidly. I've read many self-help books related to pianism but this is the only one to have earned a permanent place on my music stand.
Please ignore the unhelpful two-star nonsense written by the contributor from Portugal.
Please ignore the unhelpful two-star nonsense written by the contributor from Portugal.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very Helpful
Has it improved my piano playing? Definitely. The chapters on correcting mistakes and learning a new piece were the most useful to me, but I learnt a thing or two from the others... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Hosker
I wanted a way to improve my playing without doing what this book...
Sorry, I didn't like it -- but it's not the book's fault, it's mine. It presents sensible, well-tested methods for optimizing the time you spend practicing. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Kevin Boone
Very interesting reading
It is not a simple task to attempt to explain in plain words how to practice to avoid mistakes and how to reveal the "aural image" of the piece being played. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by Leopoldo Farias
well worthwhile
A book that distils the essence of many other books clearly and and concisely. Particularly good in relation to touch and learning a new piece. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2009 by Robertson
words words and more words !
For your guide I am a portuguese hobbist piano songwriter. My advise to this book,there are too much theory and no pratice at all. Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by Francisco J. Marcelino
All applause for Dr. Meffen!
Dr. Meffen's book on piano playing is one of the best I have ever read. He goes straight to the heart of learning how to play piano music which is brain work. Read more
Published on 7 July 2006 by Susan Smith
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