Date

10-3-2022

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Music Education (DME)

Chair

Mindy Damon

Keywords

Frederick Chopin, piano methodology, piano pedagogy, nineteenth century piano methods

Disciplines

Music

Abstract

While many aspects of Frederic Chopin piano technique have been investigated, pedagogical studies regarding his unfinished piano method are certainly lacking. This research focuses on providing first-hand information that will expand the pedagogical philosophy and widen the historical perspective of applied piano students in general. This research project will explore some of practice and historical strategies presented by the nineteenth and twentieth-century pianists in applied lessons to determine how students practice in successive lessons. Frederick Chopin’s innovations on piano technique are extraordinary and influenced succeeding generations of pianists and piano composers. Furthermore, the life and the works of Frederick Chopin have made an undeniable contribution to Polish cultural traditions around the world. This study is based on a hypothesis that argues that some historical aspects of Frederick Chopin’s life and piano method are extremely important for the applied music piano teacher in the twenty-first century. In this study, the writer presents an investigation on Chopin’s historical life events and selected compositions that made Chopin responsible for the development of an innovative applied piano teaching technique. In addition, a qualitative analysis of Chopin’s existing and selected works will be employed for this study. Lastly, by drawing a connection between Chopin’s works and his unfinished piano method, this research study will provide teachers and students with a valuable reference tool when learning how to play his works in a manner that display sensitivity and understanding of the classical piano technique.

Included in

Music Commons

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