Lessons tagged with 'Scales'

Piano Somatics and scale playing

Alan asks whether the hand really passes over the thumb in scales... or not?

Alan Fraser
Apr 9, 2024

Piano Somatics examines the role of the thumb in playing scales

Alan shows how the thumb needs to be more fully utilized if a scale is going to shine and run quickly.

Alan Fraser
Apr 7, 2024

Rotation in scales and arpeggios

It's not only the hands are involved in rotation process but the whole body

Alan Fraser
Mar 14, 2023

Descending scales

The opposition of the thumb should integrate into the actions of the hand

Alan Fraser
Feb 9, 2023

How to get a smooth scale?

Scales to the inside

Alan Fraser
Feb 7, 2023

No thumb under, no finger over

Don't swivel, stand up

Alan Fraser
Dec 29, 2020

Left hand descending arpeggios

Don't reach for the note, know it's there

Alan Fraser
Dec 23, 2020

You don't have to put the thumb under

but over actually and it also helps you STAND UP

Alan Fraser
Dec 17, 2020

Activate the standing muscles in your hand

and use them to play not only scales, but everything really

Alan Fraser
Nov 23, 2020

Whip the arm up to play a fast scale

Pianimals teachers exercise 22

Alan Fraser
Aug 11, 2020

A snapping scale

Pianimals teachers exercise 20

Alan Fraser
Aug 7, 2020

Ballade in F major - left hand scales

Nothing is a problem when your hand stands up

Alan Fraser
May 15, 2020

Thumb flexion is not good for your hand

Thumb can move in three different ways but we don't want to flex it really

Alan Fraser
Apr 18, 2020

Smooth, rock solid scales

What to do if your scales sound broken up? Structure up!

Alan Fraser
Feb 22, 2020

Scale Essentials

A short segment on scales and the whole hand drop issue

Alan Fraser
Oct 6, 2019

Scales and Arpeggios - The Major Pillar in Your Piano Technique

The one and only way to approach scales and arpeggios

Alan Fraser
Dec 16, 2018

The Thumb is Only Doing its Job

If you are not swiveling your hand

Alan Fraser
Aug 3, 2018

Horizontal Scales

Inspired from Louise Robyn, Chicago pianist and teacher

Alan Fraser
Jul 25, 2018

How to Practice Scales Slowly

By activating hand's hip joint all the way

Alan Fraser
Jul 5, 2018

The Thumb Goes Under or Maybe Not

The oldest questions in the piano book

Alan Fraser
May 22, 2018

If you See the Hand Swiveling Horizontally

Then the thumb and fingers aren't functional

Alan Fraser
May 14, 2018

Teach The Reflexes to Stand Up in Fast Tempo

The functional hand can not collapse in fast tempo

Alan Fraser
Apr 12, 2018

Standing in Scales and Why is it Important

Alan is working with a young pianist and explaining the importance of standing

Alan Fraser
Apr 11, 2018

The Hand Stays in Balance

The true point of unstable equilbrium and the mental image we need to cultivate

Alan Fraser
Apr 1, 2018

Healthy and Exuberant Thumb

The thumb should not be dysfunctional

Alan Fraser
Mar 5, 2018

The Power that Animates a Scale

The thumb needs to do this amazing carrying job

Alan Fraser
Feb 14, 2018

Pivoting vs Wobbling in Arpeggios

pronation and supination w/ small hands

Alan Fraser
Dec 28, 2017

Arpeggios - The Thumb Needs to be Springy

When you swivel you, rob the thumb of it's power

Alan Fraser
Nov 27, 2017

Slide for the Better Elasticity

The sliding is designed to get rid of the remaining crampedness

Alan Fraser
Oct 23, 2017

Left Hand Arpeggios

Open the hand and get "springy"

Alan Fraser
Sep 28, 2017

Play The Scales Like Chico Marx

The springiness of the thumb is what gets us through

Alan Fraser
Aug 28, 2017

Stepping Stones - Going Down

The springy thumb is powering the whole motion

Alan Fraser
Aug 22, 2017

Keeping the Angle the Same

The structure needs to be elastified

Alan Fraser
Jul 31, 2017

Scales - Going Down

The thumb carries the hand. Springiness!

Alan Fraser
Jun 23, 2017

Make the Length of the Fingers the Same

Changing the angle of the hand does not help muscles and they stop working.

Alan Fraser
Jun 11, 2017

Putting the Thumb Under in Scales

Alan is busting the myth: opposition, not flexion

Alan Fraser
Jun 5, 2017

Scales are the Grammar of Music

Alan and a young pianist working on b flat minor scale

Alan Fraser
Mar 2, 2017

Left Hand Scales

Alan is showing Jean a few exercises for the left hand scales.

Alan Fraser
Feb 15, 2017

Functional Wrist and Thumb for Better Scales

Stable wrist, rotation and functional thumb are prerequisites for healthy scales

Alan Fraser
Feb 5, 2017

MCP and Scales

Do you tuck the finger under, rotate or you do something completely different?

Alan Fraser
Dec 5, 2016

The Movement that Solves the Scales Problem

Intro lesson to the Scales and Injury series

Alan Fraser
Oct 25, 2016

How to Play Fast Scales

Hot seat workshop in Vussem, Germany 2016

Alan Fraser
Oct 1, 2016

Contracted Triceps and Scales

Asked by: Johannes

Alan Fraser
Aug 30, 2016

The Thumb Opposition And Rotation in Scales

An ongoing conversation on the rotation and thumb opposition

Alan Fraser
Jul 22, 2016

Standing Hand in Scales

Alan is explaining how to 'stand up' the hand while playing scales

Alan Fraser
May 20, 2016

Thumb Exercises

We are finishing up this series with various exercises designed to separate sensory infomration and musculary effort

Alan Fraser
May 16, 2016

Smooth Scales

Alan helps a student iron out his scales

Alan Fraser
Apr 14, 2016

The Thumb in Scales

Alan is talking about the thumb, scales..

Alan Fraser
Apr 8, 2016

Elastic Placement for Better Scales

Overholding, springy wrist and elasticity

Alan Fraser
Feb 8, 2016

Rotation in Scales and Leaps

Alan talks about scales and leaps and gives examples from the literature

Alan Fraser
Dec 23, 2015

Rotation and Counter Rotation for a Healthy Hand

Alan talks about remedial effects rotation has on piano technique as well as rotation in scales

Alan Fraser
Dec 21, 2015
Alan Fraser
Dec 4, 2015

How to Play Fast Scales?

Asked by: Christine

Alan Fraser
Oct 16, 2015

A Lesson on Scales

A very informative lessons on scales with Alan

Alan Fraser
Apr 26, 2015

How to Play and Practice Scales Part 1

Alan is talking about best practices when playing scales. Color, touch, palm

Alan Fraser
Nov 3, 2014