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The virtuoso book introduces, for the first time in this se ... Read more

The virtuoso book introduces, for the first time in this series of books, exercises with held notes and fingering and rhythmic variants. The held notes keep the hands in a balanced position, which helps to strengthens the knuckles and finger joints so that arm weight delivered into the key bed is more easily supported. The fingering variants train the muscles for the many fingering patterns found in the repertoire. The rhythmic variants place each note of the pattern alternately on the beat so that the weight of the arm is shifted to each finger evenly.Chapter I contains patterns of two, three, four, and five notes, and thirds, sixths, and octaves. Chapter II develops the movement of the thumb used in the playing of scale and arpeggio passages. In Chapter III the double-note exercises are especially valuable for the balance of the hand, developing strength in the knuckles, finger joints, and the muscles between the bones in the hands. The extension exercises in Chapter IV provide training for playing chords, broken chords, and arpeggios. Chapter V has the same patterns of double-note thirds, sixths, and octaves as Chapter III, this time with the addition of held notes.All the books is this series were written based on these concepts:Training the MindDeveloping technique is not complicated or difficult.  It is our thinking about technique which is complicated and difficult.  There are no short cuts to developing piano technique.  But there is a way to develop technique which is easier and more effective.  The exercises by themselves will do the work in developing your technique.  You cannot fail.  Practice and learn them one at a time sequentially from the beginning of the book to the end.  Do not make these exercises difficult by using too much energy and effort.  Keep everything simple.  That is all you have to do.Brain PowerDeveloping technique involves not only the movement of the fingers.  As we learn the physical sensations of playing the piano we are training our thought processes and stimulating activity in the brain.  It is necessary to repeat over and over what you practicing.  This will develop thought patterns and you will subconsciously remember what you have learned. This is why it is important to practice every day.These exercises have been written with a scientific basis.  At the moment when our fingers are ready to depress the keys an electric impulse occurs in our brain and then the cells signal to each other and command the muscles to move.  The speed of the fingers depends on the speed of this synaptic delivery system.PhysiologyTo develop speed you have to develop a quick response in the synapses.  If you stimulate your brain as much as possible by concentrated repetitions, the synapses will become stronger and will respond more quickly.  This will increase your ability to learn and remember the physical sensations of playing the piano.  The exercises in this book have many repetitions which continually stimulate our synapses and the nervous system.  .Arm WeightTo develop technique we also have to have knowledge of human physiology. For example, the muscles in the arm are connected to the fingers.  When we depress the key these muscles contract.  As soon as we feel the bottom of the key bed and hear the tone we have to release these muscles with a conscious effort.  Then we can control how we play the next note.  You just cannot play fast and train your muscles like a machine without thinking.  This will never create artistic playing.Virtuoso Piano Technique has been written for piano students from age 9 and up, piano majors, teachers, piano hobbyists, and concert pianists. The entire book can be practiced in 90 minutes in a moderate tempo.  All of the piano technique books by Terrence Rust should be practiced in the order of their difficulty. Learn the intermediate book first book before practicing the virtuoso book.  After that begin work on the advanced book.   Minimize