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i want to get a piano book about technique etc., but i dont know which one to get, does anyone have a favourite? any which youve found really useful etc.????

also, same goes for editions of chopins etudes please!


Thanks!!!

For Chopin, some people seem to prefer the Paderewski edition, although almost all my Chopin is in the Henle edition.

It is a useful adjunct to purchase the Cortot edition of the Etudes because Cortot has many - sometimes too many! - preparatory exercises for each Etude. Using the ones that suit will certainly help build a technical foundation for the study of the Etudes. On the other hand, if one were to do all the preparatory exercises that Cortot presents and do them in the manner that he suggests, it would take months of practice before one even gets to the Etudes themselves.

As far as a book "about technique" is concerned, does that mean you want a book that discusses technique or you want a book of technique exercises and drills?

Regards,

I'd like to suggest a book I recently picked up after reading a review of it in the Nov. 07 issue of Clavier magazine.

"Burgmuller, Czerny and Hanon: 32 Piano Studies Selected for Technique and Musicality," edited by Ingrid Clarfield.
Book 3 (highest in series) is for Intermediate to Later Intermediate level. I'm enjoying these simple exercises, which are actually very pleasing to listen to.

Hope this helps.

-shari

While BruceD has the Henle I have the Paderewski, among others, for Chopin. Having several can either be helpful or confusing depending on how they are used.

As to technique books there are many. It pretty much depends on whether you wish to develop your technique from Etude repertoire--Cramer, Czerny, Moszkowski, etc., or exercise/drills like Hanon, Plaidy, Pischna, etc. A combination of both is probably good with some repertoire that would utilize the technical aspects of your studies.

The Barlow and Morgenstern Dictionary of Musical Themes and the companion volume Dictionary of Opera and Song Themes. When Al Qaeda comes after me, I will grab these and run...

I should have made myself clearer; I meant a book which is written about technique.


Thanks for the suggestions, the Cortot one seems a god choice.

The following book about technique has been mentioned here many times:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088331066X/

applause book 2

As for books on technique, my personal favorite is Seymour Bernstein's "20 Lessons in Keyboard Choreography."

Kenny Werner's "Effortless Mastery". Nothing about mechanics, but more about freeing your mind to play to your potential.

For technical help:

Seymour Bernstein's "With Your own Two Hands"

Wm. S. Newman's "Pianists Problems"