LibGuides: Piano: Technique

Recommended Resources

General Technique Books (selections)

The Art of Finger Dexterity by Carl Czerny; Max Vogrich (Editor)
Call Number: MT232 C99 A78 [Allen shelves]

Publication Date: 1893

Available online via IMSLP.
Fifty studies for the advanced pianist to develop hand technique.
Etudes for the Piano (Complete) by Frédéric Chopin; Arthur Friedheim (Editor)
Call Number: M22 C54 E8 [Allen shelves]

Publication Date: 1916

Twenty-seven pieces that demand advanced piano technique.
Improve Your Piano Playing by John Meffen
Call Number: MT220 M44 2007 [Allen shelves]

Realistic and easy-to-read techniques to eliminate recurring mistakes and master the art of fingering, touch, phrasing, tone production, and pedaling.
Natural Fingering: A Topographical Approach to Pianism by Jon Verbalis
Call Number: MT232 V37 2012 [Allen shelves]

Comprehensive discussion of fingering solutions for pianists. Includes symmetrical fingerings for fundamental forms, discussion of double note challenges, guidelines for teachers, and cross-hand scales eliminating thumb-under/hand-over pivoting actions.
The Pianist's Guide to Pedaling by Joseph Banowetz
Call Number: MT227 B21 [Allen shelves]

Publication Date: 1985

An indispensable guide to basic pedaling technique and practical suggestions for works of specific composers.

Technique Videos (selections)

Deeper Piano Studies by Frederic Chiu, Terry Golob, et al.
Call Number: MO MT220 D446 [Allen DVDs]

Publication Date: 2006

Follows five participants through the Deeper Piano Studies workshop of Frederic Chiu, adjunct professor at Hartt.
Freeing the Caged Bird: Developing Well-Coordinated, Injury-Preventive Piano Technique by Barbrara Lister-Sink and Glenna Baston
Call Number: MV MT225 L56 F7 [Allen VHS]

Publication Date: 1996

Defines piano technique from a neuromuscular and bio-mechanical viewpoint. Addresses optimal skeletal alignment and efficient muscle use.
Mastering Piano Technique by Seymour Fink
Call Number: MV MT220 F55 V [Allen VHS]

Publication Date: 1994

A holistic approach to the keyboard, based on the relationship between physical function and musical purpose.
Companion book at call number MT220 F55.

Performance Practice Books (selections)

Interpreting Mozart by Eva Badura-Skoda and Paul Badura-Skoda
Call Number: MT146 M93 B 2010 [Allen shelves]

Also available online.
Addresses the elements of performance and problems that may occur in performing Mozart's works on modern instruments.
Off the Record by Neal Peres da Costa
Call Number: ML706 P74 [Allen shelves]

Publication Date: 2012

Examines prevalent techniques and unfolds the background and idiosyncrasies of legendary pianists of the Romantic era.
Perspectives on the Performance of French Piano Music by Lesley A. Wright and Scott McCarrey (Editors)
Call Number: ML724 P477 [Allen shelves]

Publication Date: 2014

Offers a range of approaches central to the performance of French piano music of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Pianist's Guide to Historic Improvisation by John J. Mortensen
Call Number: MT68 M67 2020 [Allen shelves]

Explains Baroque keyboard improvisational techniques with musical examples and exercises for step-by-step practice.
Piano-Playing Revisited by David Breitman
Call Number: ML650 B74 P535 2021 [Allen shelves]

Demonstrates how composers were influenced by the instruments they knew, and how that understanding can help today's performers.

Discover More

Browse the Catalog

Find more general technique books

Search subjects in the catalog, for example:
Piano > Instruction and study
Piano > Methods
Piano > Studies and exercises

Find more performance practice books

Search subjects in the catalog, for example:
Performance practice > Music
Piano music > Analysis, appreciation
Piano music > Interpretation (Phrasing, dynamics, etc.)
Piano > Performance

Browse the Shelves

There are many more piano technique books available in the library! Use these call numbers to find more:

Call Number	Topic
MT220	Piano technique (general)
MT222	Systems and methods
MT225	Studies and exercises (general)
MT227	Pedaling
MT231	Scales and arpeggios
MT232	Fingering
MT236	Sight reading
MT239	Accompaniment
MT243-MT249	Instructive editions

Looking for technique videos instead of books?

Just add MO (for DVDs) or MV (for VHS) to the beginning of the call number! For example:
MT220 = General piano technique books
MO MT220 = General piano technique DVDs

Browse Professional Journals

Professional journals are a great place to learn from experts about the most recent developments in your field.
Search articles online or browse the Allen Library current periodicals (near the Allen entrance). See especially:

International Musician by American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
Available in print (last two years on current periodicals shelf) and online (2003 - present).
Piano Magazine: Clavier Companion
Newest issues available online only.

Suggest a Resource

Know of a resource you think should be added to this guide? Let us know!

Want to suggest we purchase something new? Contact Tracey Rudnick (rudnick@hartford.edu).