∙ Frees your hand from stress by accessing its innate, structural potency.
∙ Teaches your hand to move powerfully and accurately by honing skeletal alignments.
∙ Develops an intelligent hand – one with integrity, strength and suppleness.
∙ Increases awareness of hand’s skeletal structure to cultivate “sensory-motor learning.”
∙ Brings a wealth of physiological knowledge to the nuts & bolts of piano technique.
∙ Informal and informed presentation of cutting edge technical knowledge.
· New discoveries in biomechanics evoke a completely new experience of the human hand.

∙ 90-minute colour film in English: PAL & NTSC formats, all regions compatible.
∙ Detailed menu gets you easily to any point in the film – a highly effective pedagogical tool.
∙ Designed for use in conjunction with the book, the DVD also stands well on its own…
   - Watch the DVD for an immediate, graphically effective presentation of Alan Fraser's ideas.
   - Read the book for more detailed explanations, fleshing out the ideas and deepening your         mastery of these core elements of piano technique.
   - Return to the DVD for an ever more powerful integration of the ideas into your playing.

Over 35 years of intensive research…

Since 1965 Canadian pianist Alan Fraser has immersed himself in the German, French and Russian schools of piano technique, subjecting the best aspects of each to rigorous analysis in the light of his 20-year experience in Feldenkrais Method and his even longer ongoing collaboration with Croatian virtuoso Kemal Gekich. The result is a totally new approach to piano technique that builds on and goes beyond the finger action and arm weight schools, returning to the very structure and function of the human hand to unlock its innate capacity for powerful, evolved action on the keyboard. The potent stability of the hand’s natural arches, “skeletal alignment,” and “unstable equilibrium” are just a few of the concepts that lace this easy-to-access and empowering look at how we do what we do at the piano. 

The principles of physical movement in The Craft of Piano Playing apply to everyone:

children and beginners...

“The video has been of great help to my 10 year old son Robin. Even with his small hands that barely reach one octave, Alan's grasping technique helped him create rich and orchestral-like sounds on chordal passages. Robin was also very excited to find that with daily practice for just the past several days, his pinky has already shown new skeletal strength.”

university professors...

“…One student whom I have been working with for two years has totally collapsible hands. She is musical and creative and intelligent, but her playing has remained on a very intermediate level. Last week I had her doing your hand exercises, and low and behold, a week later her hands are working properly and looking like those of a pianist! A miracle!

     ‘She had to discover the sensations in her hands of what it feels like to have the fingers straight and not breaking, particularly the 5th finger, showing the “hummocks“, and keeping an eye on the integrity of the bridge at all times. And the overholding, or super legato, really works wonders. Thank you!”

 

adult amateurs...

"Your DVD on piano technique is a masterpiece of analysis, patience and clarity of expression. You have a tremendous ability to make a very complex issue easy to understand; you are not using dry meaningless language as technique videos do. I have never before seen such detailed and, at least in my very humble opinion, correct analysis of piano technique. I am very grateful to you for taking the immense trouble of putting all these scientifically sound principles on paper…”

 

teachers…

“What a joy to watch my recent purchase, The Craft of Piano Playing, and to practice its empowering exercises. In a very short time it has already had a tremendous affect on my playing. I feel more released and not so heavy as I was, and have started to develop a speed I would normally think was not possible. I am delighted by your manner and the way you put the information across – it is entertaining and presented with such ease which makes learning fun. I have recommended this highly to my pupils and all my piano friends. Thank you again for putting such a great piece of helpful and inspiring work together – it has certainly paid off for me, and is very much appreciated. Thank you!

 

and top professionals...

“Alan, your film showed me exactly what was missing from my technique! I made those few adjustments (structural integrity, etc.) and now I can touch the keyboard and play with full confidence!! Also, you totally convinced me how FULL and radiant chords can sound without pressing or attacking the way I've always done! And I finally have to confess that it’s true, it really seems like I have never before fully understood the REAL meaning of legato playing: the connection to the keyboard and especially the SOUND it instantly produces. You helped me tap into a world I thought would never be accessible to me. THANK YOU!”

 

“You gained my trust when you exposed the hazards of flawed attempts of the finger action approach and the arm weight approach to piano technique. I have challenged many pianists and teachers on these points over the years. This made me feel that your thoughts were well-considered.

’Two points you included in the demo were revelations to me; the security of arching the hand, and turning the hand to increase interval span. I imagine it doesn't surprise you anymore hearing pianists report this. Those two tips alone were an instant boon for my piano technique. The results of just one practice session convinced me that I had to have your DVD. I just received it and I'm on fire.”

The Craft of Piano Playing imparts more knowledge about piano technique than even a dozen sessions with the master could achieve. Do the math, you'll realize that we offer over $1800 worth of piano lessons for the ridiculously low price of
$39.95!

Don’t delay, buy The Craft of Piano Playing today!

And remember, every purchase of this DVD gives you a
FREE Gold Membership at the Craft of Piano Playing Forum (a $12.95 value).

a word from one more viewer...

“... I got tendonitis seven years ago, and thus my search for preventative, injury-free piano technique started. I spent literally thousands of dollars along the line, but still continued to play with discomfort and pain. After implementing your info just from chapter 1 about the hand's arch structure, I was able to play the piano without pain and residual discomfort for one hour for the first time in SEVEN years.

     ‘Your approach to technique makes the most sense bio-mechanically, physiologically, and sonically. That first clip of Brailowsky with the camera shot under his hands showing that beautiful cathedral arch you so expertly demonstrated made me just about fall off my chair. Then I started to mentally peruse all the internal images I have of seeing the greats perform. Really, I own all those videos you excerpted on your DVD! I implemented just a few ideas you suggested, and you were bang on.

     ‘Do you realize that when I put both my hands up to a wall, like you did in the video, the arches and joints in my hands all went flat! There was no arch structure, and you were right on when you said that the arch structure is generally the weak link in piano technique. Then you backed it up with that cool anecdote about Neuhaus and what he did to students' hand arches. I could go on and on about the million "ah-ha" moments I had while watching your DVD. I am completely exhilarated and convinced about the soundness and caliber of your teachings and discovery. The beautiful thing is, you cared enough to take the time to really figure this stuff out and make a positive impact on people's lives, and for that I am truly thankful.

     ‘Also, you are an absolute riot to watch! My wife heard me laughing my head off and asked, "Weren't you watching a piano technique video?" and then you fell off the bench - that was great! You should know that 10,000 miles away you made a huge difference in the life of one pianist. THANKS!