This page © 1997 by Kevin Purrone

E. George Kochevitsky


1. Kochevitsky, George. "The Art of Piano Playing." Evanston" Summy Birchard Co., 1967
2. Endorses the "psycho-technical" school of piano playing


a. "If the old school busied itself with indicating what to do and how to do it, now the question of how to think, how to organize the process of practicing and playing became the utmost importance."


3. Ingredients of the technique


a. Mechanical practicing is irrational and obsolete
b. Correct movements are not developed consciously
c. Only preparatory work can be accomplished with the conscious mind
d. The physiological system learns the real piano technique


1. Degrees and adjustment of innervation, relaxation and contraction of the muscles is sub-conscious
2. The regulation of spatial relationships and ratios is learned by the body and nervous system


e. The conscious mind sometimes interferes with good piano technique


4. Technical Methods


a. The path from musical conception to performance is important


1. Inward hearing
2. Anticipating the motor act
3. The motor act (performing the note(s)
4. Auditory perception and evaluation


b. Velocity


1. Depends on four factors


a. The speed of the nervous system


1. Although inate, it can be greatly improved through training


b. How fast we think and command the nervous processes
c. The ability to estimate distances inwardly either tonally or visually
d. Mental control over arm movements


c. Finger dexterity


1. Depends on the easy and rapid perception of the musical material
2. Depends on the rapid transmission of nervous impulses from the central nervous system to the playing apparatus
3. Practice passages using a variety of rhythmic patterns to create a flexible nervous system response


5. Mental work is essential


a. Fully analyze the composition before playing
b. Play only one section at time


1. The section should not be larger than you can digest as a whole unit


c. Mental should start at the beginning of the learning process and continue throughout the learning process


6. Technical Phrasing


a. Mental convenience is worth more than hand convenience
b. Mental grouping of notes in a passage helps technique


1. By single direction
2. By regular pattern or repetition
3. By notes which fit the hand
4. By patterns which correspond with accents

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I have written a set of piano pieces! They are fun to play and not very difficult.