The art and science behind piano touch : a review connecting multi-disciplinary literature

Jennifer MacRitchie

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The touch used to play the piano, representing aspects of body posture, hand posture, movement, speed, force and pressure on the key, has been addressed over the centuries by pedagogues, famous pianists and composers. Piano touch not only underpins basic technique in piano playing, but is also the route through which pianists can communicate their expressive intentions. This review pulls together literature concerning touch from piano pedagogy, engineering, performance analysis and biomechanics. Studies have advanced understanding in the actions behind a typical keypress motion, the influence of training by examining differences between novice and expert pianists, and the various joint contributions that discern a struck versus a pressed touch. Although individual differences are widely identified, the influence of hand anthropometry, choice of technique and difference in training between experts remains understudied. A trade-off between accuracy and ecological validity is also identified in the use of current measurement systems: to encourage wider participation and incorporation into instrumental lessons, there is a need for the development of un-intrusive measurement systems that can be used outside the laboratory environment without restrictions concerning the instrument. Implications include furthering understanding across the arts and sciences and aiding teachers and students looking to minimise the risk of injury.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)171-190
    Number of pages20
    JournalMusicae Scientiae
    Volume19
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Keywords

    • analysis
    • biomechanics
    • human mechanics
    • instruction and study
    • performance
    • piano

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The art and science behind piano touch : a review connecting multi-disciplinary literature'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this