Alum’s guide to healthy piano playing

A new book offering a unique approach to piano playing has been published by Peters Edition.

Written by alum Penelope Roskell, The Complete Pianist: from healthy technique to natural artistry is a step-by-step guide to healthy piano playing, based on the author’s extensive experience of teaching, performing and original research.

The book, accompanied by 300 videos and 250 exercises newly devised by Penelope, also covers the way pianists think about music, including mental preparation, practising effectively, and developing confidence in performing.

Penelope, the leading UK specialist in healthy piano playing and Piano Advisor to the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, where she holds a clinic for pianists with tension or injuries, said: ‘Over my lifetime, I have acquired an enormous amount of experience and understanding on all aspects of playing and teaching. Having experienced an injury myself as a student after practising Liszt’s second piano concerto with a faulty technique, I have researched every aspect of piano playing and developed a unique collection of exercises which can help all pianists play with ease and avoid injury. About 15 years ago, I decided that I was ready to share this for the benefit of future generations.’

The Complete Pianist is suitable for all pianists, whether professional or amateur, teacher or student. Musical examples range from elementary to concert repertoire and it addresses a range of issues, including weak hands and tension

21 February 2020