New Member, First Post.

I just found found two interesting things in my mailbox today. The first package I opened contained The Art of Piano Playing by Heinrich Neuhaus, and the second The Craft of Piano Playing by Alan Fraser. A notice from the post office informed me that the DVD and book is waiting.The Kemal Gekic DVD has been sent, so I do expect to learn a thing or two about piano playing now. I started on the piano very late in life, so I do not expect to come anywhere near Gilels, Richter or Gekic, but I have already discovered that serious practice of fundamental technique is very effective, and very interesting. Having played percussion for longer than I care to remember, helps quite a bit, and having practiced Tai Chi and Chi Gung for thirty years seems to fit very well with the Fraser method. I have not had much time to study the books, but I have discovered that the views of Neuhaus and Fraser on rhythm is very similar. Since both of them also share my view, I have some solid backup there. Enough for today. So far I have only done the basic off piano exercises, so its time to get to the piano. casaet

Welcome to the Forum! We'll look forward to hearing how things work out as you get into the material. And yes, I do see eye to eye with Prof. Neuhaus! AFF

Nice to hear from you, Alan. I have discovered the importance of off piano exercises, and at the moment that is what I am concentrating on in your book. I am convinced that the Ukrainian-Russian methods combined with recent scientific research, can bring piano practice to new levels of effectiveness. And if one is smart enough to study the playing of the great masters, the musical-artistic side should be taken care of. And that brings us to Kemal Gekic. I have been a member of the two most important pianoforums for about a year, and have not seen him mentioned until I found him him on your site. I must say that together with Sokolov I consider him to be the greatest performer we have today.

One of the reasons you'll find such a wealth of valuable material on this forum is my ongoing contact with Kemal Gekic. For over 20 years he has been educating me and I have learned a huge amount from him which I try my best to transmit to you in my books and here on the forum. He is always inquisitive, always searching for new, better ways of making the piano sound and speak. He is living proof that there is no limit to improvement. I am glad you agree with my opinion of him as an artist and pianist! AFF

I have already discovered that practicing piano technique using the best methods available is fun, not hard work. After having my first run through of your DVD, about half of it, I have discovered that it is absolutely glorious fun. It will take some time going through that, but half an hour of the DVD has already brought my pianoplaying to new levels. And your style of presentation surely helps. The Gekic DVD has not arrived yet, but I am sure there are more people than me who will never get enough of his playing. So we demand more. DVDs are better than CDs, and when I see Gekic playing I am reminded of what Neuhaus says about confidence as a basis for freedom. CS

I am so glad to read your comments, very apt! Moshe Feldenkrais as well said that we learn best when we are laughing... Grateful thanks, AFF

I must say I am happy to have found a forum where people have discovered that there are more things to piano playing than Hanon exercises and speeding up your metronome. I have also found an extremely interesting link on your site: The Leonardo Project. Which, as far as I can see, covers about everything. I followed a further link to quantum theory, Stephen Hawking and multiple universes. But I must say that this universe is multiple enough for me at present. Apart from that I have just become aware of the incredible mobility and flexibility of Kemal Gekics fingers. I dont think I have seen this with any other pianist. That man has an energy and a presence that is contagious. I am the one who must say thanks! CS