Resources for learning piano technique at an advanced level in Higher Artistic Education in the Major of Interpretation in Spain

Abstract

This article studies the resources available throughout the history of the modern piano for learning piano technique. It is structured in two parts. In the first place, the evolution of advanced level didactic works is collected, from the first methods of the 19th century for the modern piano to the present. Secondly, it describes the actuality of piano technique learning process in Spanish regulated centers that teach Higher Arts Education in the major of Interpretation. For this, a quantitative study was carried out using a questionnaire. The conclusions indicate that the students are based on texts dating from the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Chopin’s studies being the most widely used. In addition, there is a preeminence of the study of digital technique by means of scale formulas, which does not prepare for the execution of the entire required repertoire. A factor analysis revealed that students can be grouped into seven categories, based on their conceptions about learning piano technique.