Touch and Expression in Piano Playing

This brief yet comprehensive guide shows pianists how to produce every possible variety of tone, including note values, pulsation, phrases and their combination, dynamic contrasts and shadings, tempo, color, and style. The two-part treatment addresses kinds of touch and the application of touch to expression, offering methods for achieving more sensitive execution in practice and performance. An essential volume for all piano students and teachers, this book emphasizes the relationship between techniques of touch and the expression of the composer's intention. The author excerpts and analyzes portions of famous piano works and explains the uses of distinctive musical styles — repeats and irregular measures, rhythms, and accents — to assist students in their interpretation. He also includes hand and finger techniques for varied effects.