The Psychology of Piano Technique: Piano Book

This book takes on problems that studio teachers and serious pianists actually grapple with, from performance anxiety to preventing injury, and frames them not as character flaws but as technical puzzles with practical solutions. McLachlan's approach moves beyond motivational platitudes to offer concrete strategies rooted in how the body and mind interact at the keyboard.

Thoughtful and grounded. This is a resource that respects your intelligence and your struggles, treating performance anxiety and technical inconsistency as solvable problems rather than character traits. Reading it builds a sense of clarity and agency.

Pianists at intermediate through advanced levels who find themselves wrestling with performance psychology, technique plateaus, or the mental side of practice. Studio teachers will find this invaluable for coaching students through stage fright, motivational slumps, and the transition from practice-room confidence to performance.

• Develop a pre-performance routine that activates calm focus rather than forcing confidence; McLachlan's framework helps distinguish between productive mental preparation and anxiety management.
• Use the book's injury prevention strategies to audit your own technique and identify postural or mechanical habits that could lead to strain during intensive practice or performance periods.
• Apply the short-term tactical advice when preparing specific repertoire, especially pieces that trigger performance anxiety or technical self-doubt.

Assign chapters selectively to students who are preparing for competitions or recitals, or work through sections of it in studio lessons when particular challenges surface. The book works equally well as a solo read for pianists entering college performance programs or as a staff resource for piano teachers refining how they talk about technique with their students.

• Managing performance anxiety through technical reframing
• Identifying and preventing injury-prone technical habits
• Building long-term practice strategies aligned with musical goals
• Developing mental resilience for consistent performance under pressure