SCHOOLS OF MODERN PIANO TECHNIQUE: A COMPARISON

Abstract

The objective for my thesis is to determine how to better tailor my teaching of piano technique to my students’ individual bodies. In my own piano education, I have noticed that not every type of technique works for every person. Thus, in order to determine the suitable techniques for my own students, it is necessary to consult multiple schools of thought on the subject. For this project, I have studied existing schools of piano techniques and pedagogical tools including the Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, Basic Principles in Piano Playing by Josef Lhevinne, the Taubmann Technique, individual artists, and YouTube instructors. I have then distilled the main points from each of these techniques/artists and organized them by part of the body to which they refer. In the body of my thesis, I explain these main points, and then I have condensed them further into a technique chart. I believe that this paper and chart can assist me as well as other teachers and students in choosing the physical motions that will help each individual player best achieve a clean and confident sound at the piano. I also believe that this will lead to increased confidence as pianists find that, with the correct physical motions, clean and effortless technique is indeed within their reach