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Improve Your Piano Playing
 
 

Improve Your Piano Playing (Paperback)

by John Meffen (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Elliot Right Way Books (4 April 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0716030012
  • ISBN-13: 978-0716030010
  • Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13 x 1.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 196,773 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
Dr John Meffen shows you how you can dramatically improve your technique, eradicate 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 his tried and tested techniques.

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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
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4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
92 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good, practical advice from an experienced teacher, 22 Dec 2002
By Gazdoc (Bristol UK) - See all my reviews
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...

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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Impove Your Piano Playing - Dr Meffen, 6 Sep 2005
By Stevee (Romford, Essex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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.

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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars All applause for Dr. Meffen!, 7 Jul 2006
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. Music teachers out there, please take note of Dr. Meffen's advice! A pity all piano teachers do not use his method which is sound, commonsense, practical advice. How many teachers waste valuable time by not using this method? Most teachers say ''go home and practice'' however, the how and the why are always left out. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in their musical improvement. Thank you Dr. Meffen for your advice and honesty!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars 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 3 months ago by Robertson

2.0 out of 5 stars 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 14 months ago by F. Marcelino

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