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Pedro de Alcantara
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Creative Health for Pianists: Concepts, Exercises & Compositions

by Pedro de Alcantara (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Creative Health for Pianists: Concepts, Exercises & Compositions is a practical method book for musicians of all abilities. It provides a new way of thinking about the piano, emphasizing the pianist-reader's innate capacity to respond creatively to a musical and technical stimulus. Author and veteran educator Pedro de Alcantara suggests that every pianist, from a complete beginner to a concert artist, may approach the instrument with the frame of mind of an improviser and composer, in which curiosity, inventiveness, and technical skills are inseparable.

Throughout the book, original music snippets that encapsulate one or more aspects of piano playing are presented and explained, then developed through tweaks, variations, and compositions of increasing complexity. Every chapter contains variations suited to a complete beginner, as well as musical challenges that will capture the imagination of advanced players. Most chapters contain improvisational prompts and games with step-by-step rules, leading to the development of new creative skills combining musical depth and technical intelligence. Creative Health for Pianists is supported by a dedicated companion website with 48 pedagogical video clips.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0197600204
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0197600207
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    June 6, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    11 x 1.06 x 8.5 inches
  7. Print length
    422 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This method from Pedro de Alcantara forms a fantastic repository of tools to address all kinds of fundamental piano requirements in a playful way. In addition to the interest of his compositions, it is his particular approach that attracts me as a pianist and a teacher, because it stimulates creativity and independence and can be adapted to the study of the entire repertoire. By insisting on the need to take time, to listen, and to feel, this method perfects the skills of the pianist, moving away from a purely mechanical approach to one offering the means to train hands and ears in a healthy and creative way." -- Lara Erbès, Professor of Piano, Conservatoire de Strasbourg

"Pedro de Alcantara's Creative Health for Pianists presents fundamental musical concepts, using imaginative pedagogical tools with clarity, humor, real-life examples, and boundless creativity. His progression from archetype to variation/improvisation to composition, which underlies each chapter, develops the pianist's creative potential, linking mind, soul, ear, and hand. In the course of the book, the reader absorbs new material through the act of fearless creation and the freedom to curate their own, unique learning experience. A highly recommended text!" -- Vladimir Valjarević, Piano and Piano Pedagogy Faculty, Mannes School of Music; Steinway Artist

About the Author

Pedro de Alcantara is a musician, writer, and teacher. He is the author of The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration; Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound; and Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique, all published by Oxford University Press. He is Visiting Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, and travels the world leading workshops intertwining creativity and health.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (June 6, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 422 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0197600204
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0197600207
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.74 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11 x 1.06 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

About the author

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Pedro de Alcantara

Pedro de Alcantara

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I'm a musician, teacher, and writer. My books include several volumes of music pedagogy published by Oxford University Press, including "Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique" (also translated into French, German, Chinese, and Japanese); "Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound"; and my most recent, "The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration."

I wrote the children's novels "Befiddled" and "Backtracked" (published by Delacorte Press), and a book for the general public, "The Alexander Technique: A Skill for Life" (published by Crowood Press and translated into French, Japanese, and Estonian).

I live in Paris and and I travel the world giving master classes on creativity and health. I'm a Visiting Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
4 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John K.
5.0 out of 5 stars A major addition to the piano teaching literature
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful and unique piano method! Pedro’s book will help pianists creatively discover their instrument, and makes reference to the great teaching literature left to us by Bartok and other composers. I recommend whole-heartedly to all levels of pianists.
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Rosa
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and rich approach to rediscovering the joy of making music at the keyboard
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Whether you teach the piano or just enjoy playing, this very readable book is filled with many short compositions and ideas for improvisations. There are excellent sections that use the visual element of the keyboard to explore and "play" with basic harmony in a non-theoretical manner.
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SFPIANO
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly insightful and thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
A refreshing and insightful look at the ecosystem of body, mind, and spirit as they intersect at the piano. Highly recommended
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