The Artistic Pianist’s Library, Book 4

Mind - Body - Piano

How to Play the Piano Effortlessly Like a Pro

(based on the principles of Ludwig Deppe &

the Alexander Technique)

by Matthew Koumis

Product code: 04
Editions: Print
Year: 2020
Pages: 246 
ISBN: 978-986-93197-6-8

from the Foreword:

I read about 100 books on piano playing. None of them told me what I wanted to know, which was: 

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HOW — EXACTLY — AM I SUPPOSED TO 

WIGGLE MY FINGERS ON THE PIANO KEYS? 

and... WHY?

Except for one old book: 'Artistic Piano Playing as Taught by Ludwig Deppe' (1897). It explains the teachings of a German court musician who closely watched Liszt, Rubinstein and other top pianists of his day. He figured out the basic

elements of what they were doing onstage. He summarised the underlying components of advanced piano technique. And he developed a ‘method of methods’ to pass all of this onto the next generation of pianists. 

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It's not just some dry theory. This works! Here’s how to do it. Take it or leave it!

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This book is in 4 sections.

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Part 1 is a foundation course for musicians in basic posture and anatomy: if you have never studied Alexander Technique before, start here.

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Part 2 teaches a ‘method of methods’ at the piano. Learn how to play lightly and effortlessly through a few simple exercises.

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Part 3 shows over 150 photographs of the most famous composer- pianists and concert pianists up to the present day. See for yourself the evidence. Their posture and technique confirms the methods taught in this book.

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Part 4 is a new translation of the excellent piano teachings of Ludwig Deppe, based on the 1897 book by Deppe's student, Elisabeth Caland.

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