Historical Harpsichord Technique: Developing La Douceur Du Toucher
- Author: Kosovske, Yonit Lea
[This] book is methodical and well-written, and it is a strong contender for inclusion in any harpsichordist's library
Historical Harpsichord Technique: Developing La Douceur Du Toucher
- Author: Kosovske, Yonit Lea
Purchase product
[This] book is methodical and well-written, and it is a strong contender for inclusion in any harpsichordist's library
About
Yonit Lea Kosovske surveys early music and writing about keyboard performance with the aim of facilitating the development of an expressive tone in the modern player. Reviewing the work of the pedagogues and performers of the late Renaissance through the late Baroque, she gives special emphasis to la douceur du toucher or a gentle touch. Other topics addressed include posture, early pedagogy, exercises, articulation, and fingering patterns. Illustrated with musical examples as well as photos of the author at the keyboard, Historical Harpsichord Technique can be used for individual or group lessons and for amateurs and professionals.
Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: La douceur du toucher
- 1. Preparing to Play
- Beginning Lessons
- Selecting an Instrument
- Position at the Keyboard
- Posture
- Relaxation
- Arms and Elbows
- Wrists
- Curvature of the Hands and Fingers
- 2. Touching the Instrument
- Warm-up Exercises
- Touching the Keys
- Gravity
- Stroking the Keys
- Motion of the Hands and Wrists
- Dynamics
- Playing Different Keyboard Instruments
- 3. Articulation
- What Is Articulation?
- "Ordinary Manner"
- Legato
- Slurs
- Arpeggios
- Staggered Playing
- Grace Notes and Trills
- Cantabile
- Detached Playing
- Silences
- Agogic Accents
- Timing
- 4. Fingering
- Comfort and Context
- Strong and Weak Notes
- Use of the Thumb
- Contraction of the Hand
- Artistic Freedom
- Conclusion
- Appendix: Brief Biographical Notes on People Mentioned in the Text
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Awards and reviews
[This] book is methodical and well-written, and it is a strong contender for inclusion in any harpsichordist's library
