The clavichord, forerunner of the piano, was one of the most important instruments in Western keyboard history until the first decades of the nineteenth century. Bernard Brauchli's comprehensive history fills a major gap in the literature on this instrument. Beginning with the earliest-known references, he traces the clavichord's evolution up to the mid-nineteenth century, ending with a study of performance technique. The clavichord's structural developments (traced largely through an analysis of extant instruments), literary documentation (much of it presented here for the first time in English), treatises and iconographical sources are presented in chronological order. What emerges from this study of the various sources is an overview of the essential role this instrument played both socially and musically for more than four centuries, restoring the clavichord to the position it justly deserves in history. Awarded the Nicholas Bessaraboff Prize for 2001, honoring the best book-length organological study in the English language published in 1998/99.

David Rowland traces the history of piano pedalling from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to its first maturity in the middle of the nineteenth century and beyond. Pedalling technique was a major feature of nineteenth-century piano performance and, coupled with new developments in piano structure, inspired many composers to write innovative works for the literature. Rowland examines this through the technique and music of composer-pianists such as Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin. In addition, he follows the transition from harpsichord and clavichord to piano and outlines the physical properties of the various stops, levers, and pedals available at the different stages of the instrument's development. The book also includes an appendix of translated extracts from three well-known piano-pedalling tutors. It will be of interest to students and scholars of music history and performance practice, as well as to pianists.

Joining the Dots is designed to improve students' skills in reading music at sight, enabling them to perform new music with confidence. The books feature short, creative exercises which help students to develop their ability to read music more quickly and easily, both in exams and when learning new pieces. They're perfect for use during lesson time or individual practice! The series covers the requirements for ABRSM's sight-reading tests at each of Grades 1 to 8. Each book includes: * Key Features - help the student familiarise themselves with the keys at each grade * Workouts - warm up and technical exercises help establish basic hand shapes and finger patterns within each key * Transpose - encourage a confident sense of key and develop skills in reading by shape * Make Music - build confidence in creative and imaginative work, and develop musical ideas and aural skills through simple improvisation exercises * Read and Play - work through examples and practice how to approach sight-reading in the exam: read the title, work out the rhythm, find the notes and play the music!

Ever since the piano was invented, people have longed to own one. By the nineteenth century the big, unwieldy instruments were everywhere: they shrank in the heat of the colonies, swayed on steamships and sang in the drawing room of every genteel home. Some of these old pianos have become treasured family heirlooms, some just firewood. But others have led a more itinerant life, occasionally finding their way to a secret, glass-roofed workshop in Paris where they are lovingly restored by a piano repairer with a passion for his job. When T. E. Carhart came upon Luc and his atelier, his life changed. As he explored the Eldorado of pianos in Luc's back room, absorbed Luc's wisdom on life and music and finally found the baby grand of his dreams, he rediscovered his deep love for this most magical of instruments.

In this wonderfully atmospheric book, full of Parisian life, the story of a musical friendship and a mutual obsession is intertwined with reflections on how pianos work, their glorious history and the people who care for them, from the most amateur pianist to the tuners and craftsmen who make the mechanism sing.

French Language Edition. This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book Level 1A begins by teaching basic keyboard topography and fluent recognition of white key names in relation to black keys. It focuses on simple rhythms and prepares students for intervallic reading with entertaining songs that focus on "same," "stepping up" and "stepping down." It then introduces lines and space notes in treble and bass clefs, melodic and harmonic intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths, and graduates to reading on the grand staff. It also introduces the flat and sharp signs. This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician.

Muse: The Easy Piano Songbook contains 23 great Muse songs specially arranged for the intermediate pianist. British rock royalty Muse are renowned for their epic style, merging genres from rock to glam with a little bit of electronica thrown in for good measure. Now you can buy the first ever collection of the best Muse songs made easier for the intermediate level pianist. Featuring massive hits spanning their career to date, including Plug In Baby, Supermassive Black Hole, Muscle Museum and Uprising, all arranged for piano solo with lyrics and guitar chords. This artist-approved songbook also features a collection of live shots of the band from their 2012/13 tours Makes ideal alternative repertoire for rock and pop examinations at grades 3, 4 and 5.

(Book). This new edition is the ultimate exploration of the upstart instruments and their unique analog growls and screams that paved the way over the last four decades for today's fast-paced electronic music world. Explores the development of the modern synthesizer from 1962 on, with in-depth interviews with pioneering designers Bob Moog and Alan R. Pearlman of Moog Music and ARP Instruments fame. These and other designers reveal their initial ideas, reflect on their hits and misses, and discuss how star performers have used their creations. Histories of groundbreaking instruments examine modular, analog & digital synths and samplers, plus more unusual instruments like the Mellotron. Noted synthesist Keith Emerson and composer Wendy Carlos ("Switched-On Bach") offer musical insights and performance techniques. Includes fully updated pricing and production info, and more than 200 photos and a stunning color section.

(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook). Grammy Award winner for Album of the Year This unique songbook features piano/vocal arrangements of 11 selections from the critically-acclaimed Coen brothers film. The traditional songs for this film were selected by T-Bone Burnett to capture the sound of the early-'30s South, and the movie soundtrack has done much to rekindle interest in the folk/blues/bluegrass/gospel genres. Songs include: Big Rock Candy Mountain (Harry McClintock) * You Are My Sunshine (Norman Blake) * I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow (The Soggy Bottom Boys/Norman Blake) * Keep on the Sunny Side (The Whites) * I'll Fly Away (Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch) * and more. Includes great photos from the film. Also available: 00313182 Guitar Tab/Melody/Lyrics/Chords Edition $14.95

This companion songbook to the Play Piano Today! method books features 10 great songs: Brick House (Commodores) * Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray) * Limbo Rock (Chubby Checker) * My Girl (The Temptations) * Save the Last Dance for Me (The Drifters) * Takin' Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) * Tequila (The Champs) * Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) * Wooly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs) * Y.M.C.A. (Village People).

(Willis). A comprehensive step-by-step course specifically designed to suit the needs of all children beginning the piano. Includes: characters and illustrations * writing exercises * sight reading drills * review work * accompaniments * and more.

This is the first comprehensive study of the life and work of Bartolomeo Cristofori, the Paduan-born harpsichord maker and contemporary of Antonio Stradivari, who is credited with having invented the pianoforte around the year 1700 while working in the Medici court in Florence. Through thorough analysis of documents preserved in the State Archive of Florence, Pollens has reconstructed, in unprecedented technical detail, Cristofori's working life between his arrival in Florence in 1688 and his death in 1732. This book will be of interest to pianists, historians of the piano, musicologists, museum curators and conservators, as well as keyboard instrument makers, restorers, and tuners.

(Beginning Piano Solo Songbook). Here are 8 songs from this adored musical arranged for beginning soloists: Dancing Through Life * Defying Gravity * For Good * I Couldn't Be Happier * I'm Not That Girl * Popular * What Is This Feeling? * The Wizard and I. A must for piano students

(Easy Piano Songbook). Easy Classical Themes contains a repertoire specially devised to complement Denes Agay's "Learning to Play Piano" series. The pieces have been carefully chosen and sequenced to reflect the incremental skills covered throughout the complete four-book tutor series. Easy Classical Themes introduces children to a rewarding selection of music that will inspire them to get the most out of this famous learning method.

Even in Beethoven's day the 'Moonlight' Sonata was a popular favourite. This 1999 book provides an accessible introduction to the Sonatas Opp. 27 and 31 (including The 'Moonlight' and 'The Tempest'), aimed at pianists, students, and music lovers. It begins with the works' historical background - the emergence of a 'piano culture' at the end of the eighteenth century, Beethoven's aristocratic milieu in Vienna, and his oft-quoted intention to follow a new compositional path. An account of the sonatas' genesis is followed by a discussion of their reception history, including a survey of changing performing styles since the mid-nineteenth century. The concept of the Sonata quasi una Fantasia is examined in relation to the cult of artistic sensibility in early-nineteenth-century Vienna. The study concludes with a critical introduction to each sonata.

Between 1820 and 1870 a number of influences combined to bring about a radical transformation in the design and use of English organs. This important book provides a comprehensive survey of English organ building during those innovative fifty years in its history. It is richly illustrated with photographs and specially drawn diagrams and contains an invaluable appendix of organ specifications. This is a documentary source book and history that will be indispensable for all those, professionals or amateurs, that have an interest in the organ.