: Utilizing the forearm's natural rotatory motion to facilitate rapid passages and tremolos.

: His exercises are based on principles of anatomy and physiology, aiming for simplicity of motion to serve musical interpretation. www.italianpiano.com Availability and Formats

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Published originally in 1981 by Schirmer Books , this definitive guide bridges the gap between mechanical anatomy and musical art. Sándor, a legendary Hungarian concert pianist and direct student of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, addresses a problem that plagues musicians worldwide: physical tension and injury.

Sándor survived the turmoil of mid-century Europe, emigrated to the United States, and taught at the University of Michigan and the Juilliard School. His life’s work was to codify a injury-free technique. Unlike Dorothy Taubman (who focused on specific choreography), Sándor focused on five fundamental "basic actions."

On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression is still under copyright protection. The book was published in 1981 (and reissued in 1995), and its copyright will not expire until many decades later.

: Transfers full body weight directly through the fingertips into the keybed.

When you search for , you might also find similar texts. Here is why Sándor wins:

Unlike vague books that talk only about “relaxing” or “feeling the music,” Sándor gives specific explanations of which muscles work, how they work, and why. This science‑based approach makes his advice reliable and repeatable.

Beyond physical mechanics, Sándor's work explores the psychological and artistic dimensions of performance: Interdependence vs. Independence

György Sándor’s On Piano Playing remains a vital text because it replaces vague, mystical descriptions of piano technique with concrete, scientific reality. By harmonizing the laws of physics with the emotional demands of music, the work provides a timeless roadmap to healthy, virtuosic, and deeply expressive piano playing.

Utilizing the torso and feet to support the arm, rather than playing with just the hands. 2. Sound: The Result of Correct Motion

Many teachers use the book as a to traditional method books. The exercises are not designed as a complete curriculum, but rather as a corrective toolkit to fix specific problems.

. Sándor, a student of Béla Bartók, argues that traditional "finger independence" training is physically impossible and often harmful, leading instead to a philosophy of interdependence www.italianpiano.com The Five Basic Technical Patterns