In this study the role of the thumb in piano playing is thoroughly investigated. The following areas were studied: attitudes about the thumb; anatomy, movements, and injuries of the thumb the history of the use of the thumb in piano playing; the: role of the thumb in. piano fingering; views about how to use-the thumb in playing; ways piano methods promote the use of the thumb; and study materials that develop the use of the thumbs.Numerous sources provided varying amounts of information on the subject. Books on piano technique and pedagogy, books about anatomy, and periodicals were important sources of information.Pianists have many different ideas about how the thumb should be used in piano playing. All of these ideas were compared and contrasted, discussing the positive and negative aspects of each.A four-item questionnaire was sent to numerous piano teachers to gather additional ideas about how they deal with the use of the thumb. The teachers had a wide range of interesting ideas on the subject. However, most of these ideas are similar to those already found in print. Many of these teachers have developed exercises of their own to improve the use of the thumb among their students.An index of study materials that develop the use of the thumb was compiled. The selections were categorized according to the area of thumb technique they develop, such as passagework or arpeggios. The categories were divided according to whether the problem was present in both hands, the right hand, or the left hand. Within each of these categories the selections were further divided into the categories of exercises, studies, and etudes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/178380 |
| Date | 03 June 2011 |
| Creators | McRoberts, Terry Allen |
| Contributors | Andrews, Mitchell |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | 3, vii, 282 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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