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

Gordon, Stewart

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195093224 ISBN 13: 9780195093223

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Just as musical etudes focus on the development of skills and address the technical problems encountered in keyboard literature, the "etudes" in Stewart Gordon's new book also focus on ideas which prepare piano teachers for meeting the problems encountered in piano performing and teaching. This major new collection on the piano teacher's art opens with an assessment of the role of the piano teacher, and goes on to explore various types of students and the challenge each presents: the moderately talented, but ambitious, student; the late beginner; the unusually gifted. Drawing on thirty years of teaching and performing, Gordon then bring fresh ideas to bear on the often-discussed areas of inner-hearing, pulse regulation, improvisation, sight-reading, and collaborative music making. There are sections on performance procedures, memorizing, pedalling, and historical performance practices; a carefully-balanced consideration of the role of the piano student and teacher; and realistic looks at the problems facing the profession today, the dynamics of a performing career, and the stages through which musicians' careers often pass. Designed to open up new avenues of inquiry, to provoke discussion and creative thinking, and to challenge and motivate students, these essays will be vital reading for all serious piano students and teachers.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Just as musical etudes focus on the development of skills and address the technical problems encountered in keyboard literature, the "etudes" in Stewart Gordon's new book also focus on ideas which prepare piano teachers for meeting the problems encountered in piano performing and teaching. This collection of essays, many of which first appeared in the "New Davidites" series in American Music Teacher, 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, and how to offer career guidance. Drawing on thirty years of teaching and performing experience, Gordon provides a carefully-balanced exploration of the role of the piano student and teacher as well as a realistic view of the problems facing the profession today, the dynamics of a performing career, and the stages through which musicians' careers often pass. Designed to open up new avenues of inquiry, to provoke discussion and creative thinking, and to challenge and motivate students, these essays will be vital reading for all serious piano students and teachers.

About the Author:

Stewart Gordon is at University of Southern California.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0195093224
• ISBN 13: 9780195093223
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 168