Steve Russell has worked for thirty years to provide pianists and keyboardists with a pathway to virtuosity free from pain and injury. His endeavours are now brought together in Calm Hands. Whether a beginner, an advanced player seeking technical improvement, or one suffering from repetitive strain injury, Calm Hands can help to develop a safe and efficient technique.

In Part I, Steve explores the physiology of the arms and hands to explain how they function most efficiently and powerfully at the piano keyboard. A set of simple exercises are provided to convert this understanding into elegant and effortless playing habits. These habits are vital to accurate rhythm and agility of dynamics and articulation, but more importantly they can protect pianists from repetitive strain and carpal tunnel injuries.

Part II is a comprehensive series of exercises designed to help improvising keyboardists habituate efficient fingering strategies. As you become more familiar with negotiating apparently complex combinations of black and white keys, you will begin to absorb the underlying principles of efficient fingering that enable smooth and powerful legato execution without strain.

Praise for Calm Hands

“Congratulations on writing the book [Calm Hands] which brings fresh perspectives to today’s piano technique.”– Mike Nock ONZM

“I am delighted to recommend to pianists, Calm Hands by Steve Russell. This well researched and highly comprehensive volume is the real deal.”– Dr. Judy Bailey OAM