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A Resource for Pianists
Dedicated to free, expressive piano playing and the elimination of pianists' injuries. Created and maintained by pianist/teacher Thomas Carson Mark |
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Thomas Mark's coming bookMotion, Emotion, and Love:The Nature of Artistic Performance has been accepted for publication by GIA Publications, Inc.
Publication is scheduled for late spring, 2012.
What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the Body
by Thomas Markis available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean editions.The video to accompany What Every Pianist is available in DVD and VHS format. Introduction to the PIANOMAP websitePianists Use Their Whole BodiesMany people think that we play the piano with our fingers alone. In fact, piano playing combines movements of the fingers with movements in the arms, the torso and throughout the body. The movements involved are as complex and refined as those of any dancer or athlete. If the body is balanced and free, technique functions well and playing is secure, expressive and fluid. If the body is tense and out of balance, playing suffers. Unfortunately, the subtle involvement of the entire body in playing the piano is rarely taught. But pianists and teachers need to understand it in order to improve their own and their students' playing, and to prevent or cure injury. Benefits of Full Body AwarenessAlmost all pianists, whether they are beginners or advanced players, experience a dramatic improvement in playing when they become aware of the contribution of the entire body to piano playing. They learn to release tension, difficult passages become easier and more secure, playing is more expressive. Because they play without tension, they are not at risk of injury. Pianists' InjuriesAlthough playing the piano should not and need not be painful, many people do experience pain. Injuries like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back and shoulder pain are common. The pain can be mild, a mere annoyance, or it can be excruciating. But it should not be ignored. If the poor habits that caused the injury are not corrected, permanent damage can occur. Some pianists have had to give up piano playing entirely. Fortunately, pianists' injuries are preventable and, in almost all cases, curable, but, unfortuately, not many piano teachers or health care professionals are trained to show injured pianists how to recover and play without problems. ArticleAll pianists, but especially injured pianists, should read the article Pianists' Injuries: Movement Retraining is the Key to Recovery. It provides an overview of the subject and explains why many so-called "treatments" are ineffective or temporary. It also describes the concept of movement retraining and shows why movement retraining must be a part of any permanent cure. BookMuch of the information pianists need about improved quality of movement is presented in the book What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the Body, published by GIA Publications and described by Barbara Lister-Sink as "The best book on the market in its field." The book includes special information for> organists by Roberta Gary and Thom Miles. A video companion to the book is also published by GIA. Read Barbara Lister Sink's review of What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the Body To order the book or the video from GIA
Publications, call 800 442-1358 or 708 496-3800, or
order online.
The book is also available from Amazon: 
CourseThe 6-hour course, "What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the Body," can be given anywhere in the United States or Canada. The course is not currently scheduled. If it interests you, send an email to Thomas Mark. Octave WorkshopThe 4-hour Octave Workshop addresses common problems associated with octave playing: pain and fatigue from playing octaves, small hands, and others. Almost all pianists and intermediate or advanced students will find that the workshop improves their octave playing. The octave workshop is not currently scheduled. If it interests you, send an email to Thomas Mark. Thomas Mark, creator of this website, lives in Portland, Oregon. He is available for private lessons, consultations, or workshops.
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What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the BodyArticlesScientific Basis of Body Mapping TechniquesInjuriesOther ResourcesContact Informationfor the last several weeks, I have used my hands a LOT, in gardening, pruning, lifting, computer work, playing piano. And I have been able to use my hands without using braces or being afraid of injuring my wrists or forearms, just by working on keeping the little-finger orientation. Your diagnosis was right on the money. This is HUGE for me! I have regained my confidence and ability to use my hands and arms again in so many aspects of my life. And I've described what you have taught me to several people and find that this sort of injury is so widespread with people who depend upon using their hands and arms. I've heard from a couple of different people (one city gardener, one neighbor who is a doctor and hobbyist gardener) who have had carpal tunnel surgery but still have pain and limited use of their hands. It just seems that you have discovered a very simple solution to a problem that affects so many people and prevents them from fully enjoying their ability to do things with their hands. I'm no Oprah fan, but this is the sort of good information that should be on mass-market shows. It's crazy that people get excited about things like cupcake stores (Martha Stewart made one up the street from me locally famous) but what you have to share is true quality-of-life-changing information. Thank you so much for your amazing work. Barbara Burrill "There is scarcely a keyboard player alive who will not benefit greatly from the information in this book. ...an indispensable, potentially life-changing resource!" The American Organist "Your book is as important a contribution to the literature as anything I know. I wish I had had it forty years ago when I was searching for answers." Harold Gray, Chair Pianomap is created, written, and maintained by pianist/teacher Thomas Mark. |