America Online

ZOOM, SEPTEMBER 24-27

An Online Institute

The first online institute was a resounding success. The lessons were super-charged with learning, and observers could mute their microphones to try out the techniques being taught on their own pianos in real time. Some said they even preferred this format to a live institute! We are planning more of these while Covid-19 restrictions remain in place - and perhaps even afterwards. Our online format follows the usual basic schedule: a daily lecture, a group Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lesson and individual piano lessons. At the conclusion of each individual lesson there will be a short discussion where online observers can clarify their understanding of what they saw.

Effective Teaching at a Distance

Alan writes, "Teaching at a distance, one must be absolutely clear about the learning process. When I touch a pianist's arm and guide it to inflect a phrase, what exactly am I doing? What am I sensing? Can I give a verbal instruction that effectively recreates that process? Yes I can, if I understand that process in its essence.

It's amazing the degree to which the striking changes in sonority and emotional expression that happen when the hand attains its "structural power" are perceptible even over Zoom."

To get an idea of Alan's teaching presence online, watch this lecture he gave to the University of Wisconsin at Madison's Optimal Peformance & Biomechanics Graduate Seminar in piano technique in April 2020, or look at some online lessons at PianoTechnique.org.


You will receive all the necessary instructions for signing in to the Zoom upon registratiion.

An Institute Instead of Private Lessons

Why attend an institute instead of simply having online lessons with Alan?

  • Participants learn from each other. It often helps to see another grappling with a problem similar to yours.
  • Feldenkrais: an added dimension to learning that leads to general improvement as well as piano-specific steps forward.
  • Lectures: Alan will give updated versions of classic lectures such as
    • the innate structural-functional power of the hand arch
    • the special role of the thumb
    • the use (or not) of arm weight, and
    • how every physical strategy has a musical application.
    Ask him questions in real time and benefit from a shared discussion that reaches further into the upper echelons of artistry at the piano.
  • Stimulation: push yourself! Use this experience to get out of your rut and break new ground pianistically.

Alan teaches ALL INTERESTED PIANISTS:

  • students who wish to improve their sound and agility
  • amateurs who wish to feel more in command of the instrument
  • teachers who want new ways of teaching technique to their students
  • professionals who wish to hone their skills to the highest possible level.

SCHEDULE


SCHEDULE TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME US-CANADA. IF YOU ARE IN ANOTHER TIME ZONE, PLEASE ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.

The schedule may be modified according to the makeup and needs of the group.


4-DAY SCHEDULE
Thursday 16:30 - Informal meetup to make sure we can all "Zoom" no problem.
17:00 - Opening session: introductions, discussion & lecture.
18:00 - One piano lesson
19:00 - Discussion and sign out
Friday 11:00 - Daily Schedule
16:00 - Seminar: "The Physical" is actually shaping musical conception.
Saturday 11:00 - Daily Schedule
16:00 - Seminar: That Pesky Thumb - How can it give 100%? When it relates functionally to the whole.
Sunday 11:00 - Daily Schedule
16:00 - Seminar: Using the physical-musical relationship to solve specific technical trouble spots and to develop the playing of younger pupils.
18:00 - Online Student Recital (Optional Participation)

DAILY SCHEDULE
11:00-12:00 Lesson #1 (50-minute lesson, 10-minute discussion)
12:00-13:00 Group ATM (Please have a yoga mat or blanket ready for this class.)
13:00-14:00 Meal Break
14:00-16:00 Lessons #2-3 (50-minute lesson, 10-minute discussion)
16:00-17:00 Seminar
17:00-19:00 Lessons #4 & 5
19:00 Au revoir


The entire institute will be recorded and available to watch afterwards.
If you did not attend the institute, you can purchase the right to view the recordings.


REGISTER




FEES & REGISTRATION

Full registration entitles you to THREE individual lessons plus full participation in all other activities.

Register using the table below, or make a deposit and pay the rest before the institute begins. You may "custom-design" your participation - for instance, if you would like only one lesson, register for one active day and two passive observer days. In these cases, Email Sophia Cholich to indicate your preferred day(s) and time(s).

Please note that the bargain-rate attendance fees will apply to this first online institute only.

Upon registering you will receive email confirmation with the Zoom meeting link and instructions on how to set up your computer or phone to participate optimally in the institute.

After registering, please return here to fill out the PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE.


TO REGISTER

In the tables below, when you scroll over a price it changes colour. Click on your preferred option to pay by credit card or PayPal at 2CheckOut.com, our retail partner. Note that the credit card charge will appear on your statement as "2CO.com," not as "The Alan Fraser Piano Institute."

Please note that due to new 2CO regulations, ALL PRICES ARE LISTED IN U.S. DOLLARS. You may change your payment currency at checkout.


OPTION 1: Online Deposit

Register with a non-refundable deposit.

Zoom Institute Summer 2020 Pay Deposit
Europe Summer 2020 Zoom Institute Deposit $75

OPTION 2: Register Online

Registration Full price Senior (65 & over)
10% discount
Student (25 & under)
25% discount
Active per day $125 $112.50 $93.75
Full active $345 $310.50 $258.75
Observer per day $50 $45 $37.50
Full observer $125 $112.50 $82.50

OPTION 3: Contact us for further registration options

For other options please contact Sophia Cholich to reserve your place. Sophia will answer your questions and arrange your preferred payment option and/or partial scholarship.



BEFORE & AFTER THE INSTITUTE




INFORMATION SHEET & FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE

After registration, please come back to fill out this PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIREM.

After you have completed your lessons, please come back to fill out this FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE. This helps you & us evaluate your experience, tailor your ongoing regime to facilitate further progress, and fine-tune the institute structure to better meet your needs.


CONTACT




ABOUT US - CONTACT

ALAN FRASER

Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his three books, The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, and All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique. He is at work on several new volumes. Visit here for more on Alan Fraser.

If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.