His practice method is ruthlessly logical:

If you have ever watched a pianist struggle with a passage of Liszt, Prokofiev, or Bartók—tensing up, missing notes, or sounding anemic—chances are they are fighting physics. György Sándor believed you should never fight. You should leverage .

Essential for tremolos and rapid passages. This involves a twisting motion of the forearm (like turning a doorknob) to shift weight quickly between fingers.

Sándor (1912–2005) occupies a unique throne in piano history. He was a direct disciple of (he premiered the composer’s Third Piano Concerto), a virtuoso in his own right, and later, a legendary teacher at the Juilliard School and the University of Michigan. His book, On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression , is considered a bible of functional technique.

György Sándor was a renowned pianist and teacher who emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying structure and musicality of a piece when playing the piano. He believed that a pianist should strive to convey the composer's intent and express the music's inner meaning, rather than simply showcasing technical virtuosity.

Never use a larger joint when a smaller one will do; never use a smaller joint when the music requires the power of a larger one.

Beyond the Fingers: György Sándor’s Blueprint for Natural, Explosive Piano Playing

A sudden push off the keyboard where the body's weight is channeled into a single, sharp movement. This is used for powerful accents or moving rapidly between positions. Key Philosophical Pillars On Piano Playing, Gyorgy Sandor and piano technique

Some of his notable quotes on piano playing include:

Sit at the piano. Place all five fingers on five keys without playing. Feel the gravity in your arm. Now, play one note using only the tiny rotation of your forearm. That effortless, resonant sound? That is György Sándor smiling.

He taught the "circular motion" for legato: As one finger plays, the next finger moves into position via a tiny rotation of the forearm, creating an unbroken line of sound.