Technique and methods

Hello, your perceptions are actually right on. I have watched MANY Serbian accordionists over the years and am blown away by their virtuosity. And yes, what they do seems to go against much of what I teach. However, it...

Very clever question! No, for a you should also have more activity but of a different quality! AFF

I've noticed that I'm never able to pull off a 5 4 3 2 1 note sequence such as g f# e d c# with consistency at moderate to hi speed. so, what are some exercises to help with this? I've tried over holding, ultra articu...

Don't join the notes. You are twisting your wrist because you want to actually join the notes. But they should be played with the hand craftily shifting its position at precisely the right moment. There is also a way o...

HI, WHICH PUBLISHER IS THE BEST FOR CZERNY ETUDES AND CHOPIN'S? THANKS

DEAR ALAN, i'm trying to play a trill with the thumb-is it true that the muscles which move the thumb up and down are slower than the muscles which move the thumb sideways? also-can you suggest me a way to use the thumb...

Hi This guy really knows how to play the piano and I think much of the material he presents is quite indispensable. Nothing new but still.Unfortunately the structure and organisation is a big mess so a not so experience...

If your wrist is going up and down on every note of a scale, your fingers aren't working and your arm is trying to take up the slack. It is a result of your training. As for curling the fingers, the degree to which the...

Dear Meg, or piaknow, Thanks for a clarifying and elucidating response much more detailed and to the point than mine... I couldn't agree more! All best, AFF

Hello, I have a major problem when it come to play staccato presttisimo-I understand that you should do that with the fingers but should there be an slight stabilization in the wrist?I feel the hand muscles contract wh...

Hello, Do you have any suggestions to help cure tendons pain of the hand? (specifically the thumb)? would cold or hot water help?

Cziffra refers to a phenomenon I talk about on the DVD where if you curl the fingers using only the deep flexors (which curl the nail joint alone), the arch of the hand actually collapses, getting pulled down by the acti...

I recently reread a chapter on leaping (Alan's honing book I think), which talked about swatting the keyboard effortlessly instead of tensing up. this works so well! I took it one step further and imagined little black d...

The cracking noise is entirely normal. Scientists have proven that cracking doesnt weaken your grip. Actually, it helps your fingers more relaxed and flexible. Good luck

The triceps plays a key role in stabilizing (stiffening!) the hand and fingers on the keyboard. Your insight is very perceptive and yes, you could probably help your left hand out a good deal by doing a few dips every da...

HELLO, I saw the answer about the stomach and how loose it should be while playing. is it possible to write an explanation why it should be loose completely? I heard some people suggest otherwise-hold it a bit to "prot...

Thank you Alan for your reply... So it is like water, spilling over naturally into different parts of life? Or does it need someone with a bucket?

HELLO alan You have responded me to the question abou the weight.that it is all in the activity and not weight issues.can you (as much as possible with writing limits) to explain that to me....if Im playing a group of no...

I have been making constant new discoveries from reflecting upon my own technical limitations and reading Alan's third book and watching his lectures. The key problem i felt in my hands has always been the 2nd finger. An...

Hello, I wanted to ask you some issues about piano technique. I played the piano for some years, but really the only thing I focused on was to read the notes. I just cannot give changes to the volume of the music I play...

HI QUESTION- whenever I play i have noticed that moving the entire arm forwards relieves tension in the entire hand-why is that?

hello Is there a difference as far as curving the fingers or the different touch when playing Bach compare to the Classical time?

My daughter 6.5 year old is learning with a piano teacher who uses "craft of piano" in teaching since last July. But we don't get it systematically, so it is very foggy what to be and what motion to apply. And my daugh...

Thank you sir Alan, for enlightening me! Since i started to play the piano 3 years ago, I've always had troubles using my fifth finger properly. With the lack of viable teachers locally, I've never been able to pinpoint...

We are starting a new series soon, a q&a session with Alan and we would like to hear from you. Post your questions here or via the website (members only) and Alan will address them in a video form. Thanks, Jovan