Relaxation Studies In The Muscular Discriminations Required For Touch, Agility And Expression In Pianoforte Playing

“Relaxation Studies” is a 1908 work by English pianist Tobias Matthay. It concentrates on some of the fundamental aspects of playing the piano, namely fingering techniques and muscular training,making it suitable for beginners and those looking to hone their existing skills. This volume is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in learning the piano, and it would make for a great addition to collections of allied literature. Contents include: “The Chief Muscular Tests and Other Permanent Daily Studies”, “Feeling or 'Balancing' exercises”, “Hand and Finger”, “Additional Hints as to Acquiring the Required Freedom”, “The aiming Exercises”, “Description”, “The Throw-off Exercises”, “The Preliminary Study of the Throw-Off Exercises”, etc. Tobias Augustus Matthay (1858 – 1945) was an English pianist, composer, and teacher. He was taught composition while at the Royal Academy of Music by Arthur Sullivan and Sir William Sterndale Bennett, and he was instructed in the piano by William Dorrell and Walter Macfarren. Other notable works by this author include: “The Act Of Touch In All Its Diversity: An Analysis And Synthesis Of Pianoforte Tone Production” (1903), “The First Principles of Pianoforte Playing (1905)” and “Relaxation Studies” (1908). Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.