Golden Fingers - tonisation

Piano technique

The Technique of TONISATION

The Technique of Tonisation is a way of using consciously different degrees of tension and relaxation of fingers and arm in piano playing. Learning the Technique of Tonisation will help you to develop a natural and free way of playing piano. It allows you to play with the finest shades of sound, touch and expression and to realize the most subtle degrees of intensity in piano playing.

Natural Tone of the muscles The art of Tonisation allows you to master the finest shades of tension and relaxation in relation to the musical context. The initial work of Tonisation starts with combining discipline of fingers and fine use of the arm, in relation to balancing fingers.

Mastering dynamics In The Golden Fingers Technique, Tonisation is applied to learning passagework. Practicing the Technique of Tonisation is an exactly described process. A simple application of crescendo and decrescendo may be practiced at first in melodies and short passages.

‘CONTROL OVER DYNAMICS is an important manifestation of cultivated TOUCH.’ Boris Berman

Dutch pianist and pedagogue Cornelius Berkhout (1892-1958) developed a method called The Technique of Tonisation.
He was Professor at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music from 1942 until 1958. Cornelius Berkhout developed a reputation as one of the
finest pedagogues of his time. His studio 1011 at the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam was a meeting place where many artists of several disciplines
gave lectures and recitals.
Berkhout’s approach is rooted in the tradition of German arm technique, although he was later on fascinated by the French
technique of finger brightness. In 2004 his book ‘De kunst van het pianospel’ (‘The Art of Playing Piano’) was published, setting out
his core ideas and philosophy. The Technique of Tonisation unites both playing styles in a natural way. Combining finger and arm tonisation allows you to create the utmost clarity and transparency in playing. The whole spectrum of sound
colors may be expressed effortlessly with Tonisation.

‘Technique means: to eliminate limitations in playing’ Cornelius Berkhout

Buy The Golden Fingers Technique and learn how The Technique of Tonisation can be applied in passagework.