Music At Your Fingertips: Advice For The Artist And Amateur On Playing The Piano (Da Capo Paperback)

A straightforward read with useful insights and suggestions.

ProsRuth Slenczynska was a child prodigy and life long concert pianist who is still performing even now in her 80s as I write this.The above weights her advise nicely for the aspiring musician who may wonder how she did it and accordingly, how the reader can follow in her footsteps.Of particular value is the information on preparing for concerts starting from when you decide you are going to play; the choice of pieces; and their organization.One thing that sets this book apart is the short section on how to play four against three, but see below. This is nice since to my knowledge there are not too many places where this kind of information can be found. One exception is  Piano Technique .ConsI thought Ms Slenczynska's list in her repertoire section was a bit too weighted towards obscure choices. Although, she explains why she did this, as a beginner had I seen this list and tried these pieces, I would likely have become discouraged with some of these selections. I say this because this book is reading for piano students as well as teachers.The section on how to play four against three is followed by a short score that does not match the example. You have to go to the following score to understand how to apply the example. While this is not a major detractor, it does bear mentioning.Based on the above points, I do recommend reading the book written by this delightful lady. See Youtube to hear her speak and listen to her perform. Beginning students need the guidance of a teacher in choosing selections based on their qualifications, experience, and likely their age. My background is several years worth of mostly intermediate to some advanced playing many years ago. Now I'm getting back once again into playing classical music. Piano Technique

Ruth Slenczynska grew up under the strict guidance of a tyrannical father.This allowed her to master the piano as few have done. But it also burned her out by the time she was 14 when she retired from the concert circuit.She is a demanding teacher and it shows in this book. I can't say that she transpires as "nice" but she is truly competent and I got what I was hoping for from this book. If you want to read the words of a sympathetic all forgiving teacher then this book is not what you may want. If you want to introduce some discipline into your piano studying regime then this book will be very useful

This book was really a joy to read. I stumbled upon her book after listening to her Chopin Etudes recordings. These are playing tips that really belong to the romantic generation of pianists (Rachmaninoff, Cortot, etc).

More useful for the concert artist than the amateur.