sonia | Piano books, and a video

I mentioned a while back that I've been playing piano again. I'm still at it, practicing for 10-15 minutes every day or every other day.

The book I'm learning from is Mastering Music Level 1A, Versatile Piano Studies for Older Beginners by Janet Vogt. It's well put together to gradually teach concepts with musically interesting pieces. I'm working on the last few pieces in that one, and I have 1B waiting for when I'm ready. I'm moving through it slowly, trying to learn the physical skills to hit the right keys, make the volume gradually get louder or softer, slur notes together, and play chords. Not to mention reading the music.

I had "What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body" by Thomas Mark et. al. for years, but never read it. Partly because the similar book for singers was so dense and technical. I sold it to Powells when I moved. But I got a copy recently via interlibrary loan, and it turns out to be very readable and useful. I might re-buy a copy to have it for reference. I reviewed it at more length.

What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body video also by Thomas Mark. This two hour video is a great companion to the book. I also had a copy of this and never watched it, so I was delighted to find the whole thing on the Internet Archive. Highly recommended if you're interested in good body mechanics.