2956-4107 Physiology and Ergonomics of Piano Playing Tworko Paulina author Akademia Muzyczna im. Grażyny i Kiejstuta Bacewiczów w Łodzi 046wvt864 Correspondence to: Paulina Tworko 31 12 2020 Issue 47 (4/2020) English Issues 229 253 Copyright © 2020 2020 <p>Much has been said about performance, styles, and interpretation. However, we should ask ourselves where they come from, what they depend on, and what factors influence them. The answer proves very complex. This article deals with the problem of piano technique as an element on which interpretation, sound and expression depend to a large extent. The pi­ano is an instrument with incredible tonal possibilities, but it requires fingering skills, the ability to ‘feel’ the keys and a certain physical strength which is directly related to the technique we use. Achieving a high level in playing requires years of diligent work, perseverance, and determination. Technical proficiency, in turn, facilitates expression and appropriate interpretation, in line with the style of a given musical period and the feelings of the pianist-performer. We are thus talking about two things that inexorably influence each other: technique and its results. The latter depend largely on the former. This article explores the knowledge of piano technique which needs to be acquired so that in the end nothing comes in the way of communication between performers, listeners, and the music.</p> 1 Bosquet, L., et al., ‘An Evidence-Based Approach for Choosing Post-exercise Recovery Techniques to Reduce Markers of Muscle Damage, Soreness, Fatigue, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis’, Frontiers in Physiology, 403 (2018), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932411 /?fbclid=IwAR1aOtKWc-9I0NK2hi-7xCPBtLYQkzDmYcHgBWyfbuVTxas6Qczl_cg8e0, accessed 22 May 2020. 2 Chopin, F. ‘Esquisses pour une méthode de piano’. Textes réunis et présentés par.., Eigeldinger, J.-J., ed. (Flammarion: Paris, 1993). 3 Deahl, L., Wristen, B., Adaptive Strategies for Small-Handed Pianists (Oxford University Press: New York, 2017). 4 Földes, A., Keys to the Keyboard: A Book for Pianists (Oxford University Press: Oxford, 1968). 5 Gieseking, W., Leimer, K., Piano Technique Consisting of Two Complete Books: The Shortest Way to Pianistic Perfection and Rhytmics, Dynamics, Pedal and Other Problems of Piano Playing (Dover Publications, Inc.: New York, 1972), http://waltercosand.com/CosandScores/Composers%20E-K/Gieseking,%20Walter/Gieseking%20&amp;%20Leimer%20-%20Piano%20Technique.pdf, accessed 2 February 2020. 6 Kowalska, M., ABC historii muzyki (Musica Iagiellonica: Kraków, 2001). 7 Li, M., et al., ‘Assessing Injury Risk in Pianists’, MTNA e-JOURNAL 2015, https://www.eldertech.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Assissing-Injury-Risk-in-Pianists.pdf, accessed 18 April 2020. 8 Ortmann, O., The Physiological Mechanics of Piano Technique (K. Paul: Trench, Trubner &amp; Co., Ltd, E. P. Dutton &amp; Co., Inc.: London, 1929), http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.89583/page/n7/mode/2up, accessed 12 April 2020. 9 Marecki, B., Anatomia funkcjonalna w zakresie studiów Wychowania Fizycznego i Fizjoterapii (4th edn, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. E. Piaseckiego w Poznaniu: Poznań, 2004). 10 Matthay, T., The Act of Touch in All Its Diversity. An Analysis and Synthesis of Pianoforte Tone Production(Bosworth &amp; Co. Ltd.: London, 1903), https://archive.org/details/actoftouchinalli009163mbp/mode/2up, accessed 21 May 2020. 11 Sandor, G., On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression (Schirmer: New York, 1981). 12 Sielużycki, C., Wybrane wiadomości z anatomii i fizjologii do użytku nauczycieli i uczniów szkół muzycznych, 4, Ręka, jako główny narząd ruchu w grze na instrumentach muzycznych (Centralny Ośrodek Pedagogiczny Szkolnictwa Artystycznego: Warszawa, 1962). 13 Sielużycki, C., Ręka pianisty: Fizjologiczne podstawy techniki (PWM: Warszawa, 1982). 14 Wristen, B., Overuse Injuries and Piano Technique: A Biomechanical Approach. A Dissertation in Fine Arts (Texas Tech University: Lubbock, 1998), https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/handle/2346/10941?show=full, accessed 6 February 2020.