The Physiological Mechanics of Piano Technique an Experimental Study of the Nature of Muscular Action as used in Piano-playing, and of the Effects thereof upon the Piano Key and the Piano Tone

Abstract

AS a treatment of the physiological mechanics of the particular motions used in piano playing, the present volume is of intrinsic interest to comparatively few scientific workers. It is of much wider interest as an example of research involving more than one of the sciences. The difficulties of such research due to the ever-increasing specialisation of research workers are frequently emphasised. The intensive cultivation of so many small branches of the separate sciences has, however, the compensating advantage that in each the technique is so fully developed that, for example, the mathematical physicist may well find, as did Einstein, a special mathematics ready for his application, whilst the physiologist finds that the developments of telephony provide him with electrical instruments of remarkable sensitiveness. The fundamental difficulty lies in getting in touch with the required developments of the unfamiliar science, and appears to indicate not only the increasing importance of adequate indexing and abstracting of scientific literature, but also the desirability of definite training of research workers in library technique. The Physiological Mechanics of Piano Technique. an Experimental Study of the Nature of Muscular Action as used in Piano-playing, and of the Effects thereof upon the Piano Key and the Piano Tone. By Otto Ortmann. (The International Library of Music.) Pp. xv + 395 + 49 plates. (London: Kegan Paul and Co., Ltd.; New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc., 1929.) 21s. net.