A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers: Strategies to Develop the Mind and Body for Optimal Performance.(Book Review)

by Gail Berenson et al.; edited by Kris Kropff. Heritage Music Press (Lorenz Corp., Box 802, Dayton, OH 45401-0802), 2002. 275 pp. $45.

This is a must-have for readers wanting a comprehensive but basic book about healthy piano playing. It is divided into five sections titled "The Mechanical," "The Technical," "The Musical," "The Healthful" and "The Pedagogical." There are a total of twenty-six individually written articles by eight different pianists and two medical professionals. The text is designed as a "how-to" book, with articles by an impressive array of celebrated authorities in the burgeoning music wellness field.

"The Mechanical" section serves as background material. Here, one finds information about how sound is produced, controlled, sustained, terminated and pedaled. For readers interested in a historical overview of pedagogues beginning with Deppe and Breithaupt to the present, but do not have the time to read all the out-of-print books, the chapter titled "The History, Evolution and Application of Biomechanics and Physiology of Piano Playing" is one to read. Included in this discussion are the parallels to sports training techniques, such as cross and interval training and the use of today's technology. The playing unit--the finger, hand and forearm and how to move efficiently also are examined.

In the technical section (section two), Seymour Fink discusses the principles of fingering or what he calls "hand vocabulary." A chapter on developing a technique for advanced repertoire, by William DeVan, follows. Basic hand position, closed or open position, the quiet hand, stabilizing the bass and integration of the parts are reviewed. DeVan addresses the ability to listen intensely coupled with a keen kinesthetic sense that allows recall of many sensations.

Section three, "The Musical," includes two chapters on overall musicianship by Robert Mayerovitch and "Musicality" by Fink. Fink discusses a tough subject, musicality, but successfully tackles it from a technical point of view.

Section four, "The Healthful," is divided into two parts--"Mind and Body." Part one, Mind, has four articles. "Spirit, Ego and Music," by Dylan Savage, explains how a pianist seeks fulfillment through a personal "journey" rather than other influences. Methods for "finding peace" are discussed. The next two articles, "An Introduction to Cognitive Strategies and Skills for Practice and Performance" and "Coping with Performance Anxiety: Inner Game of Music Strategies," by Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, examine the mental challenges of performing and techniques for coping with performance anxiety. "Strategies for Handling Performance Anxiety," by Gail Berenson, discusses ways to help students cope with performance anxiety. The importance of regular exercise for lowering heart rate and reducing stress are examined; progressive relaxation, cognitive thinking, visualization and imagery techniques also are reviewed. A section titled "Positive Thought: Guided Imagery for the Day of a Performance" provides tips for preparing students.

Part Two, "The Body," has four ...