The Piano Practice Physician's Handbook: 32 Common Piano Student Ailments and How Piano Teachers Can Cure Them for GOOD

by Nicola Cantan

"The Piano Practice Physician's handbook is the book that I would have written about practice had I ever got around to putting all my ideas into one place! I recommend this resource to piano teachers and students everywhere." Tim Topham, Piano teacher & blogger at timtopham.com Book Description Do you wish your students would practice smarter not harder? Are you tired of nagging your students about the same things over and over? Do you want your students to make faster progress in their piano studies? Right now, all over the world, piano students are wasting precious practice time. And piano teachers are straining valuable vocal chords telling them to practice more. It’s time to reexamine this setup, and cure the underlying piano practice ailments. The Piano Practice Physician’s Handbook takes a fresh look at how piano teachers teach practice skills. These 32 piano student ailments and their cures open up new ways of thinking about piano practice problems. With this straight-forward and practical guide piano teachers can get their students practicing more effectively, making faster progress, and having more fun! What Piano Teachers Are Saying "A must-read for every piano teacher, The Piano Practice Physician’s Handbook is full of practical advice you can start using with your students today! Follow the prescriptions and your studio will be full of musicians with healthy practice habits." Bridey Gibson, Piano teacher & blogger at pianosaurusrex.nz "The Piano Practice Physician's handbook is the book that I would have written about practice had I ever got around to putting all my ideas into one place! Nicola has created a resource that uses a clever analogy between medicine and music so your studio is the "practice clinic" and practice problems include those that are "chronic" right through to "vision impairment" and even "ear infections"! The links are both creative and instructive and will give teachers everywhere a new way to diagnose and 'treat' practice issues in their students. So many times as teachers, we share the same tips with different students and I've often thought how great it would be if there was a reference of all the "ailments" that students present with and a recommended list of "treatments". Given how little time we actually get to spend with our students each week, it's vital that we teach them to practice correctly. This book will be of great value to both new and experienced teachers and even adult students in making sure they stay on top of their practice, get the most out of every minute at the keyboard and ensure that problems hopefully don't become chronic. I recommend this resource to piano teachers and students everywhere." Tim Topham, Piano teacher & blogger at timtopham.com Table of Contents Your Piano Practice Clinic Chronic Issues (Bad Practice Habits) Start Again Syndrome Finger Fascination Leap Phobia Octave Disorientation I-played-it-better-at-home-itis Finger Hiccups Instant Memorisation Fevers & Chills (Tempo Issues) Presto Infatuation Vivace Influenza Allegro Anxiety Tempo Shivers Heart Palpitations (Rhythm Inconsistencies) Restlessness Beam Fever Rhythm Allergy Ob

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2017

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She presented her ideas in a way that was easy to understand and I think her ideas (or "cures") will allow students to experience music and playing in a brand new, fun way.

Some of the cures I've used before, but most of them were brand new to me. I'm excited to try them. A fair number of them could also be adapted for other instrumentalists, since the topics covered range from piano technique (of course) to tempo issues to rhythm accuracy and more.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really feel like I'm going the extra mile for my students by researching and implementing these practice tips. I set out to find new ways to fix playing issues, and it's good to have a book with some extra tips for me, as well as how to take some exercises I've been using to the next level.

My only criticism is that it is a little difficult and time-consuming to look up an "ailment" in the moment. I guess I could wait until the lesson is over, but I'm a more effective teacher if I correct in the moment.

[Rebecca Clark Lightcap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains precisely the guidance and validation that I have always needed as a teacher of very young pianists! In all of my years of teaching, I have encountered most - if not all - of the “32 piano practice ailments” addressed here. Nicola Cantan’s expertise and playful approach to problem-solving are gold for any piano teacher who has ever struggled to help students along the path to healthier, more musical piano technique. Brava, and thank you!!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended resource for piano teachers anywhere!

[Allison Anderson Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet, practical and useful advice

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping this was a handbook on avoiding actual injuries during practice, but it's a tongue in cheek "prescription" to avoid bad practice habits. Fine for what it is but it needs a better title and more accurate SEOs.