What is “effortless” playing?

As used here, “effortless” means the subjective sensation of ease in playing, which happens after we eliminate unnecessary work. If we play with just the right muscles at the right time, while being in balance throughout the whole body, we will not perceive physical effort. Even extremely complex or vigorous movements will feel easy. Also, many technical difficulties that might otherwise have to be overcome simply will not occur. As a friend said after hearing one of the great pianists sail through a famously difficult passage, “He doesn’t understand the problem!” Or as one of my teachers, the great Guido Agosti often said, “Virtuosity is ease!”

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