Key Resources

Collections

"The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah - that is where the art resides.' Arthur Schnabel, quoted in the "Chicago Daily News" (11 June 1958). The State Library's Music and Performing Arts Library holds an extensive collection of piano music . Started in 1965 when the library first opened, it showcases the full range of styles applied to this most versatile of instruments - rags, rhapsodies and ricecari, fugues and paraphrases; toccatas and scherzos; concertos, canons and cadenzas - the list keeps growing all the time.

Major References

A Dictionary of Pianists
An excellent dictionary which gives brief biographical information on pianists.

Encyclopedia of the piano
A Choice Outstanding Academic Book for 1994 edited by Robert Palmieri.

Giraffes, black dragons, and other pianos : a technological history from Cristofori to the modern concert grand
Voltaire described the piano as a "tinker's kettle" according to Edwin M. Good.  His book provides a history of the piano with an emphasis on technology.

The Musician's Piano Atlas
Are you trying to date your grandmother's piano? A piano atlas assists in the identification, including year of manufacture and the maker of pianos.

The piano : a history
A revised edition of Cyril Ehrlich's book that was originally published by J.M. Dent.  The book covers the technical and musical history of the piano as well as its social and economic importance.

Piano information guide : an aid to research
A comprehensive bibliography for piano by Robert Palmieri published by Garland.

Piano roles : three hundred years of life with the piano
A beautifully illustrated book written by James Parakilas and others, published by Yale University Press in 1999.

The piano-forte : its history traced to the Great Exhibition of 1851
A classic work in the literature of the piano by Rosamund Harding.

Directories

Directory of Teachers
It's never too late to learn the piano. The West Australian Music Teachers' Association publishes this annual booklet which is an excellent listing of piano teachers, as well as teachers of other instruments.

International piano competitions
Three volumes on international piano competitions from 1890 to 1990 have been compiled by Gustav A. Alink. The books list 15,000 pianists by name and country, and their competition results; and the competitions including official name, location, dates, jury, finalists and prizes.

Journals

Clavier
This American piano publication caters particularly for teachers and students of piano.

Keyboard
This American journal focuses on the technique and technology of keyboards, as well as equipment and instruments in the electronic field.

Piano
A British publication crammed with information, reviews and features from the piano world.

Community Resources

Awards

Australian Yearbook of Music and Music Education
This Australian yearbook contains information on awards available for pianists: David Paul Landa Memorial Scholarship for Pianists; Claire Dan Scholarship; Hepzibah Menuhin Memorial Scholarship; John Allison City of Sydney Piano Scholarship; Robert Stolz Music Scholarship; and Symphony Australia Pty Ltd.

International Piano Competitions
A useful listing of piano competitions around the world with links to their web sites.

Leeds International Piano Competition
The Leeds International Pianoforte Competition 2003 has a total cash prize list of more than £55,000.  The site is easy to navigate with neat categories including the jury, prizes, engagements, repertoire, past winners and the box office.

Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia
An informative site on this prestigious piano competition providing information on the winner, special prizes, participants, press releases, rules and regulations, and box office. The competition is held every four years and attracts young pianists from all over the world. The total prize money is  $100,000  including A$25,000 for first prize.

World Federation of International Music Competitions
Are you looking for information on that piano competition in Hamamatsu?  This smartly designed web site will provide the answer through search facilities on calendar, competitions and laureates.  There is also a page of links to music competition web sites. Education

Australian Music Examinations Board [AMEB]
The Australian Music Examination Board was established in 1887 when a series of music examinations was initiated by the Universities of Adelaide and Melbourne. In Western Australia the AMEB is conducted through the University of Western Australia. The AMEB has developed a comprehensive system of evaluation in all major areas of music, especially piano. Examination levels range from Preliminary Grade through to Grade 8 levels. The AMEB web site looks smart. It includes information on history, Federal Board, state committees, contacts and examiners. It also details examinations, the international program, publications, teacher support and performances.

Australian Music Examinations Board Manual of Syllabuses
This annually published syllabus from the Australian Music Examinations Board provides all necessary information for those undertaking piano study and examinations from Preliminary through to Licentiate level. The Music and Performing Arts Library holds an extensive collection of scores listed for AMEB examinations. 

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy
The Frances Clark Centre for Keyboard Pedagogy is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes the art of piano teaching. Its web site includes an online piano teaching magazine "Keyboard Companion".

The Piano Education Page
This comprehensive, regularly updated American web site is directed primarily at learning to play the piano. It is an educational outreach activity of the West Mesa Music Teachers'  Association in New Mexico, USA. The site boasts over 600 pages of information updated fortnightly, including information for both students and teachers. There are also hundreds of links to other music education sites, including newsgroups and mailing lists. Many tips and links to unbiased reviews of music software and other learning materials are listed. It even has a fun special page for kids to meet famous composers!

Piano Home Page
Piano teachers should find this page very useful with its tips on teaching techniques and how to motivate students. 

Piano on the Net
Would you like to learn piano over the internet?

The Suzuki Concept
For parents interested in starting their children's relationship with music via the Suzuki Method, this book outlines the concept of early music education developed by Shinichi Suzuki. Several Suzuki Piano School teaching books are also available in the Music and Performing Arts Library. Interest/Support Groups

Suzuki Talent Education Association of Australia (WA)
Contact information for the Suzuki Talent Education Association of Western Australia which provides tuition for both prospective teachers and students. The Suzuki approach is to develop a child's natural love of music. Professional Associations

Australasian Piano Tuners and Technicians Association
Provides a list of piano tuners by state. Other Information Resources Net Links

Howard Piano Service
Provides good information on the history of the piano as well as selection and care.

Piano Link Sites
A special page for piano lovers from the Music Trader's web site.

The Piano Net
The official site of the American National Piano Foundation has general information on the history, care and maintenance of pianos. It also includes a fantastic, detailed article on how pianos are built.  The site contains links to piano competitions, manufacturers, sound files and other American music-related sites.

The Piano Page
The parent of all piano web sites. An excellent American web site with a wealth of information on the piano produced by Ronald Lee Berry and the Piano Technicians Guild.

Piano World
A comprehensive American site offering information on how to buy a piano, maintenance and care for your instrument, dating your piano and general interesting facts on the history of pianos. Also includes a fun page of piano trivia, and an extensive links page.

Pianos Online
An excellent web site for people planning to buy a piano.

Randy Potter School of Piano Technology
Offers an open university course on piano tuning.

U.K. Piano Page
British piano web site sponsored by the Association of Blind Piano Tuners. Numerous links to piano sites throughout theworld.