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
