Based on Alan's Kiddie Craft (link in the footer), this series illustrates major concepts of Alan's approach but adapted for young pianists or any beginners really. It is an open framework for students and teachers and we welcome all the feedback.
Born in Montreal in 1955 Alan Fraser studied piano but also delved into composition, cello, classical singing and had several stints as a pop musician. Alan’s main pianistic influence was the pioneering research of Phil Cohen who studied alongside Ronald Turini, Andre Laplante and Janina Fialkowska with Yvonne Hubert, who had been Cortot‘s assistant in Paris. Alan spent several years with Cohen after an apprenticeship with two former Cohen students, Alan Belkin and Lauretta Milkman.
Alan talking about his latest project, a book for piano teachers and adult beginners
The main protagonist, Handy Harry
Slipping and sliding exercise, fourth arch of the hand, metacarpals
The hand is let go but there is a specific quality of touch and strength
Story about the swamp monster hand
The first part of this lesson is the same as the previous one – but after a few steps it will go in a different direction
This lesson bends the fingers in a completely different way.
We also learn a difference between curling, flexing, bending and curving
Kiddie Craft - Lesson II-9
Handy Harry and Rex Wrist
Group 3, lesson 1
from falling off a cliff
Group 3, lesson 3
Group 3, lesson 4
Fingers/thumb and the wrist
Group 3, lesson 5
Group 3, lesson 6
Group 3, lesson 7
Group 3, lesson 8
Group 3, lesson 9
To pull Handy Harry up, group 3, lesson 10
With his "fifth finger foot", group 3, lesson 11
Group 3, lesson 12
Group 3, lesson 13
Group 3, lesson 14
Group 4, lesson 1
Group 4, lesson 2
Group 4, lesson 3
Group 4, lesson 4
Group 4, lesson 5
Handy Harry Does Some Strange Sideways Rocking, Group 4, lesson 6
Group 4, lesson 7
Group 4, lesson 8
Group 4, lesson 9
Group 4, lesson 10
Take Even BIGGER Steps, Group 4, lesson 11
Group 4, lesson 12
