Victoria B Stearns

Handbook for Piano Practice: a Guide to Life-long Learning in Music Through Continuing Education in Piano for Students and Teachers Victoria B Stearns 1st edition

This book is a companion and guide to piano practice, for both students, whether amateur or aspiring music major, and a reference for their teachers as well: the principles of good playing are the same for everyone. It is not a "method" but a resource to accompany piano studies, clarifying, explaining, and reinforcing what has been presented at lessons. Hints for success and many practice tips are included, so the student will get the most out of the time spent. Concisely written, the book emphasizes the essentials of good playing, and eliminates any extraneous or overly pedantic approaches. All the salient points for learning the piano are here: the keys to learning are efficient practice and listening. There are no false promises of quick results, but a musical journey is offered, using the piano as a springboard to music appreciation, thereby enriching one's life. Playing music gives a person the opportunity to "connect" with the greatest composers, and it would be a better world indeed if more people were playing the piano. Making music a part of your life is a goal to keep in mind, which will yield many side benefits of stress reduction and brain activity. Reassurance is given to those who are restarters, who had given up in the past, and for those who are "afraid" to try. Too many available materials give the wrong message that piano can be learned practically overnight, and this discourages people. Music can seem esoteric, too difficult, overwhelming, unattainable, if the student isn't taught properly. A little effort in the right direction can go a very long way, and this book will show you how. There are detailed lists of "real" piano literature and a section on elementary music theory to help you on your way. The author, Victoria Stearns, has two degrees in music from SUNY at Buffalo, one in music history and the other in piano performance [both summa cum laude] and also a master's degree in library science. She had additional study in music history at Yale. She has taught piano for almost five decades and has worked in music libraries in Buffalo and the Library of Congress, and also wrote music criticism for the Buffalo Evening News.