Etudes for Piano Teachers: Reflections on the Teacher's Art

by Stewart Gordon

Overview

Just as musical etudes focus on the development of skills and address the technical problems encountered in keyboard literature, the "etudes" in this volume also focus on ideas which prepare piano teachers for meeting the problems encountered in piano performing and teaching.

This collection of essays examines the many challenges involved in piano teaching -- not only the technical tasks of teaching students how to play the instrument, but also the more general challenges of how to inspire and shape students' learning, growth, and personal identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195148343
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	01/28/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 5.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1390L (what's this?)

About the Author

Stewart Gordon is Professor of Keyboard Studies at the University of Southern California.

Table of Contents

Part I.	Fundamental Studies
1.	Recognition Patterns	3
	Teaching and Performing	3
	The Teaching Career	7
	Teaching and Mentoring	11
2.	Basic Positions	16
	Performance Attitude	16
	The Performance-Career Dream	20
	The Extremely Gifted Student	23
	The Latecomer	27
3.	Neglected Rudiments	31
	Inner Hearing	31
	Inner Pulse	34
	Harmonic Consciousness	36
4.	Neglected Skills	40
	Sight Reading	40
	Collaboration	43
	Improvisation	46
Part II.	Virtuoso Studies
5.	Extension Exercises	53
	Scheduling Practice Time	53
	Strengthening Weak Areas	57
	Taking Stock	60
6.	Repeated Notes	64
	Practice Procedures	64
	Concentration	68
	Technical and Musical Growth	71
7.	Ricordanza (Memory)	77
	Types of Memorizing	77
	Memorizing for Performance	82
8.	Pour les Trois Pedales ...	87
	The Damper Pedal	87
	The Sostenuto Pedal	93
	The Una Corda Pedal	94
9.	Balancing Act	97
	Subjectivity versus Objectivity	97
	Performance Practice	102
10.	Contemporary Challenge	106
	A Case for the Defense	106
	Dealing with the Prosecution	109
Part III.	Transcendental Studies
11.	Mazeppa (The Way We Wear)	117
	Staying in Shape	117
12.	Feux Follets	122
	Charisma	122
	Knowledge	125
	Transcendentalism	128
13.	Eroica: A Call for Activism	131
14.	Vision	140
	The Physical	140
	The Intellectual	143
	The Emotional	146
	The Spiritual	148
	Index	151

Editorial Reviews

"Through it all and behind every phrase, the author's enthusiasm for life and abiding belief in the rejuvenating power of art make these disparate topics cohere in a way that ultimately uplifts the reader, especially if that reader is a (frequently demoralized yet idealistic) piano teacher."—American Music Teacher

"Inspiring and challenging...this important book is compelling reading for students, pianists, and teachers at all stages of development. Highly recommended."—EPTA Piano Journal

"Gordon's extensive personal experience as performer, teacher, educator and writer over 30 years or so is clearly shown....Offer[s] the reader...a refreshingly honest, lucidly written and down-to-earth look at the real art of teaching the piano. I urge all those involved in the game (at whatever level) to read it."—Classical Piano

"Excellent recommended reading..."—Hal Mark McDonald, Professor of Music, Three Rivers Community College

"...an immensely readable and practical book written by a perceptive and honest teacher and musician with a realistic outlook....this is a straightforward, no-nonsense book reflecting considerable knowledge and experience, and offering a fair degree of motivation and challenge to the reader. It makes a welcome addition not only for the experienced teacher who may be interested to see in print various thoughts, problems and solutions already met, but also for younger teachers and students."—RNCM Magazine

From the Publisher