Lora Deahl and Brenda Wristen
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- November 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190616847
- eISBN:
- 9780190616878
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190616847.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Performing Practice/Studies
Adaptive Strategies for Small-Handed Pianists brings together information from ergonomics, physics, biomechanics, anatomy, medicine, and piano pedagogy to focus on the subject of small-handedness. ...
More
Adaptive Strategies for Small-Handed Pianists brings together information from ergonomics, physics, biomechanics, anatomy, medicine, and piano pedagogy to focus on the subject of small-handedness. Chapter 1 presents an overview from historical, anatomical, and pedagogical perspectives and includes a discussion of small-handedness as a risk factor for piano-related injury. Chapter 2 establishes a basic understanding of work efficiency and the human anatomy, moves on to general observations about piano playing and the constraints of physics, and explains the principles of healthy movement at the piano. Chapter 3 is a focused analysis of piano technique as it relates to small-handedness. Chapters 4 to 7 deal with specific alternative approaches: redistribution, refingering, ways to maximize reach and power, and musical solutions for technical problems. Hundreds of examples taken from the standard intermediate and advanced piano literature show concrete applications of these strategies within appropriate musical contexts. Chapter 8 presents tables that pianists can use to diagnose and resolve commonly encountered problems and synthesizes the adaptive approaches outlined in the book. Reflective application points are provided as guides to further exploration. The book demonstrates that the specific physical and musical needs of the small-handed can be addressed in sensitive and appropriate ways and illuminates alternative paths to help pianists with small hands reach their musical goals.Less
Adaptive Strategies for Small-Handed Pianists brings together information from ergonomics, physics, biomechanics, anatomy, medicine, and piano pedagogy to focus on the subject of small-handedness. Chapter 1 presents an overview from historical, anatomical, and pedagogical perspectives and includes a discussion of small-handedness as a risk factor for piano-related injury. Chapter 2 establishes a basic understanding of work efficiency and the human anatomy, moves on to general observations about piano playing and the constraints of physics, and explains the principles of healthy movement at the piano. Chapter 3 is a focused analysis of piano technique as it relates to small-handedness. Chapters 4 to 7 deal with specific alternative approaches: redistribution, refingering, ways to maximize reach and power, and musical solutions for technical problems. Hundreds of examples taken from the standard intermediate and advanced piano literature show concrete applications of these strategies within appropriate musical contexts. Chapter 8 presents tables that pianists can use to diagnose and resolve commonly encountered problems and synthesizes the adaptive approaches outlined in the book. Reflective application points are provided as guides to further exploration. The book demonstrates that the specific physical and musical needs of the small-handed can be addressed in sensitive and appropriate ways and illuminates alternative paths to help pianists with small hands reach their musical goals.
Lora Deahl and Brenda Wristen
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- November 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190616847
- eISBN:
- 9780190616878
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190616847.003.0008
- Subject:
- Music, Performing Practice/Studies
Chapter 8 integrates the adaptive strategies outlined in previous chapters and presents tables that small-handed pianists can use to diagnose and resolve commonly encountered problems. These tables ...
More
Chapter 8 integrates the adaptive strategies outlined in previous chapters and presents tables that small-handed pianists can use to diagnose and resolve commonly encountered problems. These tables focus on broad categories where obstacles encountered by pianists with small hands can be found—chords, arpeggios, leaps, octaves, broken intervals, legato, and voicing. The tables outline solutions drawn from throughout the book, thus integrating a variety of approaches to each problem. The effectiveness of these tools in a particular context should be evaluated on the basis of sound, comfort, reliability, and ease of execution. Examples from the intermediate and advanced piano literature are used to demonstrate a synthesized approach to problem solving.Less
Chapter 8 integrates the adaptive strategies outlined in previous chapters and presents tables that small-handed pianists can use to diagnose and resolve commonly encountered problems. These tables focus on broad categories where obstacles encountered by pianists with small hands can be found—chords, arpeggios, leaps, octaves, broken intervals, legato, and voicing. The tables outline solutions drawn from throughout the book, thus integrating a variety of approaches to each problem. The effectiveness of these tools in a particular context should be evaluated on the basis of sound, comfort, reliability, and ease of execution. Examples from the intermediate and advanced piano literature are used to demonstrate a synthesized approach to problem solving.
