The Art of Piano Playing a scientific approach by Gieiige Kacbeisby eeContents Foreword Preface PART 1 HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THEORIES OF PIANO TECHNIQUE Chapter 1 ‘Technique Based on Fingers Alone. : Invention and Development of the Pianoforte. .. First Approaches to Problems of Piano Technique. ‘The Finger School. .. aren Mechanical Devices Chapter 2 Participation of the Arm... Progressive Ideas in Nineteenth-Centary Teaching ‘The Impasse of the Old School. Ludwig Deppe's Ideas ‘The Anatomic Physiological School Chapter 3 Growing Awareness of the Role of the Mind... New Theories of Movement and Exercise... Oscar Rail’s Experiments Stcinhausen on the Psychic Origin of Tecniqe. Twentieth-Century Trends. —— ‘The Psycho-Technical School PART 2 THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND PIANO PLAYING Chapter 4 Structure and Function of the Central Nervous System......-.-..21 Inborn and Conditioned Reflexes. tice BB ‘The Second Signaling System......2...0..00 teres B Analysis and Synthesis. .......c0.ecseeeeeee 24 Proprioception ... fe 24 Excitation and Inhibition of Newous Processes... 38 Irradiation and Concentration of Nervous Processes... 2.26 Establishing Stable Conditioned Reflexes: The Reflex of Purpose. .27 Chapter § Development of Motor Skil. . — é Chapter 6 Development of VelocityPART 3. PROBLEMS OF PIANO PLAYING AND TEACHING Chapter 7 Esthetics and Technique. . ‘Theory of Movement. Individual Technique. Tone Production. Relaxation and Tension Chapter 8 Coordination and Adjustment. ‘Adjustment to the Keyboard. Finger Dexterity. Spacial Orientation... Regulation of Energy. Chapter 9 Mental Work: ‘Mental Dexterity Grouping and Regrouping. . Mental Practicing Chapter 10 Stage Fright. Conclusion ve SH Bibliography ...-.seseeceseees 58 History and Theory of 158 Physiology . 64 References... 57 Index .. 66