This book gives me the most important thing..

I'm a relatively new piano student. Just started learning to play the piano 10 months ago and I am still able to grab the essence of this book. Truly inspirational, I always want to know one ultimate reason I should be practicing. This book really delivers what it promises. It gives me the right attitude. My relationship with my teacher is improving. No doubt, it works wonder on me and I can never turn away from my piano from now on.

-Additional comments-

The later part of the book is about various technique/suggestions. Being a piano novice I wouldn't dare to validate this part. I did find some interesting anecdotes about playing the piano but I still need some help from my teacher on a few chapters.

A book all pianists will enjoy

Bernstein, Seymour. With your own two hands: Self-discovery through music. - New York: Schirmer Books, c1981. (Book review) Denise Stuempfle - September 2000

Seymour Bernstein, a much sought-after pianist and master-teacher, uses his combined experience as performer and teacher to motivate fellow musicians to seek self-integration through the pursuit of music. Comprehensive in scope, With your own two hands is a holistic approach to the study of the piano. This type of learning experience is imbued with authenticity since, as Bernstein tells us, "when your feelings are converted into muscular activity, your automatic pilot or reflex system is fed not only physical impulses but also the feelings implicit within them." Clearly, the behavioral and the affective find equal footing here -and without contradiction. Self-destructive habits associated with practice are logically addressed and illustrated. For those needing motivation to practice, other than the goals of self-actualization and self-integration, perhaps the more altruistic perspective will suffice: "When we practice we fulfill our share of responsibility in the circle of giving," says Bernstein. Those who feel compelled to practice to the exclusion of all else are reminded that "a musician who separates his art form from his personal life, does so at a price both to himself and to others," thus denying himself the opportunity of achieving balance in life. Other issues of concern to pianists, such as memorization, stage fright and various performance techniques are effectively and honestly treated here. Finally, in Schumann's own words, Bernstein bids us invoke the spirit of the muse in our practice, "Always play as if a master were present."

For those of us not privileged to grace the walls of Bernstein's studio, this is truly a work to be treasured. Geared mainly towards students, amateur musicians and professionals alike will welcome this contribution to the vast literature on musicianship.

Motivated me to keep playing piano

Before reading this, I thought it was a kind of mechanical things. And I treated playing piano carelessly. But this book helped me to be serious about it.The title itself shows his idea on piano playing. In the first part I reflected on my attitude to practicing and my teacher. He suggests various aspects of techniques in the second part. Not all of suggestion worked for me but surely it is worth reading.If you are interested in 'why' and 'how as an intermediate player, I think this book is for you.