-
By Instrumentation
Books on Music
-
-
-
Accessories
|
|
|
|
| 
 enlarge | Author: William Westney
Publisher: Amadeus Press
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $10.51
You Save: $7.44 (41%)
New (30) Used (8) Collectible (1) from $10.51
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 95205
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6 x 0.7
ISBN: 1574671456
Dewey Decimal Number: 781.4
UPC: 884088076337
EAN: 9781574671452
ASIN: 1574671456
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Amazing ... and Healing March 22, 2006
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
I had a difficult time reading this, only because the content was so close to my own life/story. I could've sworn that William was writing about ME, and I relived many things that I didn't realize this book would create the avenue to surface. Fortunately, this book has helped me to begin to heal old, deep, and hidden grievances that have kept me from being the musical self that my soul longs and deserves to be ... until now.
What a great way to address a very real issue. What a great way for me to finally resolve my childhood rejections of not being allowed to express myself at the very time I was creating my musical self.
Thank you, William. I can now forgive and begin new again, this time without fear of repercussion in expressing what is in my heart and my soul, even if I'm the only one that appreciates it!
Wonderful book! September 30, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is the best self-awareness book that a student and/or teacher can read. As a non-traditional (older) music major who also teaches, this book has shed new light on many problems pianists face, teacher encounter & teachers create! A must read!
For all levels of pianists! September 15, 2005
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
This is a great book for anyone, and especially for young performers, adults who want to play again, and teachers of all ages. It covers many common problems, is very sound technically and musically, and so encouraging besides.
Groundbreaking and Hope Filled Work July 2, 2005
48 out of 51 found this review helpful
I am a professional musician, a retired piano teacher of 25 years. In October of 2004, I produced my first cd of pre-Baroque pieces into an album called, "Carry the Light." Recently, I found out about "The Perfect Wrong Note" by William Westney from a friend. The book is stunning, progressive and suffice it to say, it will rub some traditionalist the wrong way. Westney totally challenges traditional teaching methods and rightly so. There is a revealing "Question and Answer" section in the book on pp. 95-97 which provides an astute summary of Westney's teaching philosophy. I found the following Q and A challenging to some very traditionalist teachings on using the metronome; "Is it a good idea to use a metronome?" Westney's replies, "Only for short periods, as a check of tempo consistency. If we use it too much we become passive slaves to it, and our inner rhythm stays dormant." Westney emphasizes that playing the piano is a "whole body, whole brain" experience. In terms of Westney's approach being a "feel good" philosophy, nothing could be further from the truth. When asked (p. 97), "Can your approach be simply stated as, "Just don't fret about wrong notes, after all nobody's perfect.?" Westney's response is clearly direct; "No. This isn't a feel good philosophy: it's a pragmatic problem-solving plan along the road to artistry. Control, accuracy, and refinement are still the goals." Westney takes a groundbreaking approach to teaching piano without killing the hope and aspirations of the student. That is to be herald and this work will be deeply respected by teachers willing to take on new and exciting challenges that take heed to an important ethos Westney holds for anyone practicing the piano. "As you practice sense that you are taking care of yourself at every moment. Expect musical performing to be fun and feel good. Question any part of it that doesn't feel that way. Think of yourself as a healty athlete. Relax frequently and take stock." (p.227) I can't think of any performing philosophy that is more hope filled than that.
"Juicy Mistakes" May 27, 2004
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I found Westney's book amazingly confirming. His concept of "juicy mistakes" is a brilliant suggestion to accept that you'll make mistakes -- go ahead and make them!...but learn all there is to learn from them! (advice for life, not just music) This is a book for your senses and your brain -- a must read for any music lover.
|
|
|
| |
