Piano Technique in Practice

McLachlan understands that technique books often feel abstract until you connect them to actual playing. This follow-up to his Foundations volume gets specific about the mechanics and habits that separate efficient playing from struggle, making it invaluable for teachers working with students across all levels who need clarity beyond general advice.

This is the voice of someone who has spent countless hours at the keyboard and in the studio, translating that experience into honest advice. There is no flourish here, only clarity and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your subject completely.

This book serves pianists and teachers who've worked through foundational technique and are ready for more nuanced, detailed exploration of how to play with efficiency and musicality. Whether you're addressing specific technical challenges in your students or refining your own approach, the detailed guidance here translates directly to the practice room.

• Return to the exercises regularly even after you've mastered them. Technique deepens through repetition, not one-time completion.
• Isolate problem passages using the specific techniques outlined for that issue, then gradually integrate them back into full pieces.
• Record yourself working through the material to hear what your hands are actually doing versus what you think they're doing.
• Vary your practice tempo within each exercise; moving slowly reveals what you're compensating for, while tempo exposes weaknesses.

Use this as your core reference when designing practice plans for students struggling with particular technical issues. Teachers can assign relevant sections as supplementary material to reinforce what's happening in lessons, creating a shared language between lesson and home practice.

• Efficient hand positioning and alignment
• Weight transfer and rotational movements at the keyboard
• Developing independence between hands
• Building stamina and avoiding fatigue
• Diagnosing and correcting common technical problems
• Understanding the biomechanics behind musical playing