The Art of Piano Playing

You won't find gold on every page, but there are nuggets that make this worth reading. For example, near the beginning, the author talks about a lazy or uncommitted student who starts and stops, and he compares her to putting a kettle on the stove, then taking it off after a moment before it starts to boil, and repeating this over and over. He laments her wasted half hearted efforts, and talks about the need to work all the way up to a boil. That little homily has really stuck in my brain and I have to say, I am behaving differently as a result of having read it. What more could you ask of any book you might read?

This book was written in bits over many years by an author who couldn't be bothered to revise it for this edition, and the lack of attention shows through clearly. It's basically the musings of someone trying to fill the page rather than make a point. Pretty useless.

As expected, great book about piano. Easy read even about complicated technical and physical issues; great observations of pianists and of the instrument. Recommended to students and teachers and even to advanced players. I enoted every word!

What might seem initially as a wandering text on pedagogy, technique, and musically, proves to be an extremely insightful and detailed account of dealing with Music, performance, and technique and how they are intertwined.

A bit of a tough read. Not as helpful as I was hoping for. That being said, there are a few nuggets that translate well for today's piano student.

I'm sure anyone shopping for this book knows that Heinrich Neuhaus was the mentor of such giants of the piano as Richter, Gilels and Lupu. Well, here between these covers you'll find the reason why. Neuhaus possessed a great mind and an ability to express himself like no other pedagogue I have read. While reading his book I kept thinking I was reading Tolstoy, not for any similarity of style or substance but because I got the same feeling from both their works, that here is a great man who had lived a full life, and then had the patience and wherewithal to sit down and commit it to paper, thereby enriching piano posterity. This book deserves pride of place on any pianist's bookshelf. I thank the previous reviewer who said that it was a crime that this book is out of print. I paid a hefty amount for what looks like a slim volume, but it is packed with such profundity that I have to consider this a seminal addition to my library. Get it wherever you can, this is one for the ages.

Entertaining and of course informative .

Outstanding book! Applied reading for group discussion.

The best book out there for correct and methodic piano teaching.What an amazing find! was recommended by a friend and for a long time wasn't available to find.If your'e a piano freak or like to understand how this fascinating old instrument plays, this is a must for you!

I bought this book thinking that there would be lots of tips on technique etc. It does cover technique, rhythm, timing, fingering etc. but covers so much more. Since I only play for my own enjoyment, I skipped the chapter on performance, but I have learned some useful improvements to my playing having read this book. Recommended.

Some very useful tips for teaching. You can tell it is dated! He disliked female pianists with their 'dainty fingers'! His passion and intellect are obvious, two attributes he asserts as paramount in a pianist. Some of the things he says I have experienced myself. Like witnessing a professional performer who had great technique but little soul in musicianship. the result was a technician! The thoughts and philosophy evoked in the book are for teachers and performers to assimilate and apply.

nice

A classic! Suitable for more advanced students and their teachers. Full of very interesting insights.