The Art of Piano Playing

Synopsis

Neuhaus taught some of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century at the Moscow Conservatory. His legacy continues and many teachers around the world today regard this book as the most authoritative on the subject of piano playing.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Principles of Piano Playing

This chapter establishes the fundamental principles of piano playing, emphasizing proper posture, hand position, and finger technique. It provides detailed instructions on how to position the body at the keyboard, the correct fingerings for scales and chords, and the importance of a relaxed and efficient hand position.

Example: The author describes how to position the thumb on the E key as the starting point for scales and arpeggios, ensuring that the thumb is neither too high nor too low and that it remains rounded and flexible.

Chapter 2: The Art of Fingering

This chapter delves into the art of fingering, explaining how to select the most appropriate fingering for different passages and how to apply fingering principles to achieve musical fluency. The author provides guidelines for choosing appropriate fingerings based on hand anatomy, the direction of the melody, and the harmonic structure.

Example: The book demonstrates how to finger the C major scale ascendantly and descendantly, explaining how the 4th finger crosses over the 3rd finger to avoid a collision and how the fingering should remain consistent in both directions.

Chapter 3: The Art of Phrasing

This chapter explores the art of phrasing, emphasizing the importance of phrasing in conveying the emotional intent of a piece. The author discusses different types of phrasing, such as legato, staccato, and marcato, and how to use them to shape the musical line and create a coherent performance.

Example: The author analyzes the opening phrase of Beethoven's "Für Elise," demonstrating how the pianist can use varying degrees of legato and staccato to highlight the melodic contour and create a sense of lyrical phrasing.

Chapter 4: The Art of Dynamics

This chapter examines the concept of dynamics in piano playing, discussing how to use volume, accentuation, and articulation to create expressive interpretations. The author explains how to control dynamics through touch, pedaling, and finger strength, and how to utilize these techniques to convey the emotional depth of a piece.

Example: The book illustrates how the pianist can vary the dynamics in the Chopin Nocturne in E-flat major, using crescendo and decrescendo to create a sense of ebb and flow, and accentuating certain notes to bring out the melodic line.

Chapter 5: The Art of Pedaling

This chapter discusses the art of pedaling, explaining how to use the pedals to extend the sustain of notes, create legato connections, and add color and depth to the sound. The author provides specific guidelines for pedaling in different musical styles and situations, and emphasizes the importance of developing a sensitive and nuanced pedaling technique.

Example: The author analyzes the pedaling in the Brahms Intermezzo in A major, demonstrating how the left pedal is used to create a shimmering atmospheric effect, while the right pedal is employed to sustain the melodic line and create a sense of harmonic richness.