Demo Does It

Alan, Your marketing approach of displaying a demo from your video really worked in my case. I think I found your site when I was searching for any sites relating to Taubman Technique. I had just learned about her when I interviewed a pianist for my site, New York Pianist. Then I came across your site, and viewed your video demo which you posted to YouTube. You gained my trust when you exposed the hazards of flawed attempts of the finger action approach and the arm weight approach to piano technique. I have challenged many pianists and teachers on these points over the years. This made me feel that your thoughts were well-considered. Two points you included in the demo were revelations to me; the security of arching the hand, and turning the hand to increase interval span. I imagine it doesn't surprise you anymore hearing pianists report this. Those two tips alone were an instant boon for my piano technique. The results of just one practice session convinced me that I had to have your DVD. I just received it and I'm on fire. I've been doing this a long time. I don't know how I missed it. Piano pedagogues have been talking about holding a ball in the hand for centuries, haven't they? But as I play, I see well enough that my knuckle collapses here. When I just don't do that, suddenly a whole lot of things get easier. Years ago I also was taught the Rachmaninoff exercise of stretching the fingers when the hand is turned. The Plaskin biography of Horowitz even mentions that he taught that to his students. I had no idea why that was useful. When you demonstrated it in your video, the lightbulb went off over my head. No wonder the Etude Op. 10, No. 1 of Chopin can be such a struggle. Now I turn my hand to negotiate those intervals instead of trying to span each entire position by spreading my fingers and consequently "setting" my hand. That's just from seeing your demo. Now I'm devouring the whole DVD. Can't wait to practice.

Dear Jai, Glad to help in the light bulb department! Carola Grindea, founder of EPTA and ISSTIP in London, took a look at my DVD and said, "There's nothing new here, how can you call it a new approach?" I told her she was right, but perhaps my way of saying things we already know might help a few more light bulbs come on... In any case, your post made my day! It's moments like this that make all the years of struggle I put in to get some clarity on these issues worthwhile, so I do thank you sincerely. AFF