# Piano Somatics Institute (Alan Fraser Institute) > This approach to piano technique replaces relaxation with activation, refines body alignment for more individual, virtuosic & artistic playing, combining Feldenkrais Method with more traditional approaches. Piano Somatics is the approach to piano technique developed by pianist and author Alan Fraser. This site lists the institutes (multi-day courses) where he teaches it, certified teachers, his books, recordings and articles. Content is available in English and, for many pages, French (under /fr). Videos of the institutes and the online store are at PianoTechnique.org. ## Upcoming institutes - [Madrid](https://www.feldenkrais-institute.com/event/the-trilogy-madrid/): November 7–11, 2026, Madrid, Spain - [Munich](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/munich): January 21–24, 2027, Munich, Germany - [Oxford, Ohio](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/oxford-ohio): June 26 - July 5, 2027, Oxford, Ohio, USA - [Ahun, France](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/ahun): August 16–30, 2027, Ahun, Creuse, France - [Concord, NH](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/concord): Dates to be announced, Concord, New Hampshire, USA - [Core Skill Set Intensive](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/core-skill-set-intensive): Online course, Online - [Online Lessons](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/online-lessons): By appointment, Online - [Belgrade](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes/belgrade): By appointment, Belgrade, Serbia Full programme and past institutes: https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institutes ## Articles - [Biotensegrity](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/articles/biotensegrity): A student finds a well-organized way of moving the hand. The sound improves; playing feels easier. She says, "I feel so relaxed." Actually, she is anything b… - [Piano Kinematics](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/articles/piano-kinematics): American pianist Doug Johnson is fascinated with the phenomenon of movement in music performance. After completeing a training in Body Mapping, he developed… - [Weight Technique](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/articles/weight-woes): The concert stage. A world-class pianist. Sublime moments of colour, emotion, subtle shades of tonal nuance. Artistry and musicianship of the highest order. ## Biographies - [Alan Fraser](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/people/alan-fraser): Alan Fraser was born and raised in Montreal, where his early piano training was unremarkable. In 1972 he enrolled in piano performance at McGill University… - [Kemal Gekić](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/people/kemal-gekic): Originality, strength of interpretation and perfect mastery of his instrument are some of the qualities ascribed to one of today’s most formidable and exciti… - [Phil Cohen](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/people/phil-cohen): Phil Cohen (1926-2018) was Professor Emeritus of Concordia University, Montreal, and Artistic Director of the Leonardo Project for the study of physical, psy… - [Sam Slutsky](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/people/sam-slutsky): Sam spent the first few years of his life in Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec, where his father was a drummer in the Army Corps Band. Sam was the village brat, a littl… - [Moshe Feldenkrais](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/people/moshe-feldenkrais): Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1903-1984), a Russian born physicist, judo expert, mechanical engineer and educator, developed his method in response to his ow… ## Books - [Natural, Artistic Piano Playing](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/natural-artistic-piano): The Piano Somatics Press has published a series of books chronicling Alan's approach to piano technique, which follows a logical evolution: - [Music, Late & Soon](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/music-late-and-soon): "It was through Robyn that I came to study with my first piano guru, Phil Cohen. Robyn was my sister's best friend in high school, and when she heard I neede… - [Play Piano with Your Whole Self](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/play-piano-with-your-whole-self): A full ten years after the publication of All Thumbs, Alan Fraser presents his most far-reaching exploration of Piano Somatics to date. Growing out of his fi… - [Skeletal Wisdom](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/skeletal-wisdom): ....explains Feldenkrais to the lay person and also helps practitioners looking for clear ways to talk about the Method. Includes sections on: - [All Thumbs](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/all-thumbs): There's a reason, when someone is clumsy and awkward, they say they are "all thumbs." This singularly unusual digit opposes itself to the fingers, and its un… - [Honing the Pianistic Self-Image](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/honing-the-pianistic-self-image): The cutting edge in technique for advanced pianists that empowers amateurs and intermediates as well. - [Transforming the Pianistic Self-Image](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/transform-the-pianistic-self-image): THE CRAFT OF PIANO PLAYING presents an original approach to piano technique with a fascinating series of exercises designed to help the reader put this appro… - [The Craft of Piano Playing](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/the-craft-of-piano-playing): THE CRAFT OF PIANO PLAYING presents an original approach to piano technique with a fascinating series of exercises designed to help the reader put this appro… - [The Craft of Piano Playing DVD](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/the-craft-of-piano-playing-dvd): Based on his book of the same name, Fraser’s first DVD uses recent advances in biomechanics to replace both tension and over-relaxation with effective hand a… - [The Craft of Piano Playing: Study Guide](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/craft-study-guide): Master the materials of both Alan Fraser’s books and his DVD with this convenient guide that organizes it all into a 13-week study plan. - [Book Reviews](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/books/reviews): The Craft of Piano Playing: A New Approach to Piano Technique is the fruit of over 25 years' research by Alan Fraser, combining his training in the Feldenkra… - [Pianimals](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals): A hand plays better when it knows how to lie down, stand up, walk, run & jump on key! ## Feldenkrais - [Feldenkrais & Piano](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais): Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) developed a method of neuro-motor re-education that has profound implications for human movement and learning… - [Feldenkrais at the Piano](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/at-the-piano): Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) developed a method of neuro-motor re-education that has profound implications for human movement and learning… - [Feldenkrais Background](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/background): Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais (1903-1984) developed a method of neuro-motor re-education that has profound implications for human movement and learning. - [Feldenkrais Method](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/the-method): Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais (1903-1984) developed a method of neuro-motor re-education that has profound implications for human movement and learning. - [ATM & FI](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/atm-and-fi): Differentiating the fingers' skeletal structure by letting gravity mash the hand into the floor. - [Pulse Patterning](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/pulse-patterning): The late Michigan pianist and Dalcroze instructor Charles Aschbrenner made a fascinating study of Feldenkrais and Dalcroze, applying them to piano performanc… - [Do a Feldenkrais Lesson](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/atm-lessons-online): Alan Fraser teaches a classic Awareness Through Movement lesson, freeing the hip joints in side lying, with Spanish translation. The lesson, given to a class… - [Feldenkrais in Belgrade](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/belgrade): A Feldenkrais lesson helps people not only eliminate pain, but also to move with greater ease and mobility. Alan works with clients from all walks of life, a… - [Instrumental & Vocal Somatics](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/feldenkrais/instrumental-and-vocal): • A DEMO LESSON EXCERPT (Transcript translated from the Serbian below) ## General pages - [What is Piano Somatics?](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/piano-somatics): Canadian pianist Alan Fraser is best known for his writings on piano technique: The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, Al… - [The Piano Somatics Institute](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/piano-somatics-institute): "My teaching is very much 'hands-on.' Your sound improves when your connection to the piano is more organic - in Feldenkrais terms, free from parasitic contr… - [About Piano Somatics](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/information): Some technically brilliant pianists seem unemotional while a sensitive pianist may lack dexterity – but might mechanics and musicianship be two sides of the… - [A Typical Day](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/institute): Designed to bring a new dimension to your piano playing and teaching, the institute combines daily Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement lessons with lectu… - [Our Mission](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/mission): Where do you stand on the athletic/artistic spectrum? Piano Somatics, the art of conscious movement at the piano, helps you improve both. - [The Development of Piano Somatics](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/history): the most innovative and artistic approach to piano technique in the 21st century - [Philosophy](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/philosophy): The Greek word soma means "living body." In 1976 Thomas Hanna, one of Moshe Feldenkrais's first American students, redefined it as "the body experienced from… - [Institute Curriculum](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/curriculum): "My teaching is very much 'hands-on.' Your sound improves when your connection to the piano is more organic - in Feldenkrais terms, free from parasitic contr… - [A Typical Day](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/description): Designed to bring a new dimension to your piano playing and teaching, the institute combines daily Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement lessons with lectu… - [Fees & Registration](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/fees): The active participation fee covers your daily individual lesson, daily group ATM lesson, daily seminar lecture, and observation of all other lessons. Audito… - [Housing](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/housing): Some Institutes offer university housing while others rely on billeting or websites like www.airbnb.com to keep the cost of attending an institute reasonably… - [No Photocopies](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/no-photocopies): Due to music publishing laws, no photocopied music is accepted in the lessons at the Piano Institute. Please bring printed scores or take advantage of a spec… - [Terms of Use](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/terms): IMPORTANT! READ THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THESE ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING YOUR USE OF THE SITE. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/privacy): This web site (the "Site") is owned and operated by The Alan Fraser Piano Institute ("Institute," "we," or "us"). This Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") desc… - [Institute Gallery](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/gallery): Institutes in Hamm, Eitorf, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Vussem and more... - [Institute Graduates](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/graduates): Over the years Alan has worked with dozens of pianists of every persuasion, every level of ability. Some of them have gone on to flourishing performing caree… - [Competition Laureates](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/graduates/competition-laureates): Institute graduates put their new abilities to good use, and the number of competition winners passing through Alan Fraser's hands is steadily increasing. - [Jazz at the Institute](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/graduates/jazz-and-pop): The bulk of institute participants are classical pianists, but a significant number hail from the jazz community. Here are a few pianists "from the other sid… - [Certification](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/certification): EMBODIED PIANO PRACTICE - the summation of Alan Fraser's approaches - [Testimonials](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/testimonials): Alan, your workshop was wonderful. Your knowledge, energy, dedication, long hours, kindness, and sense of humour made this an experience I will never forget… - [Find a Teacher](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/teachers): The certification program was instituted in 2016. As teachers move up in their certification level, their names are moved down the page to a higher category… - [Contact](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/contact): Send us an email with your questions, or call one of our organizers. - [Working Online](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/skype-lesson): Alan began working with pianists on Skype and Zoom long before Covid-19, allowing him to give regular live lessons to students in cities like Sydney, Tokyo… ## Pianimals programmes - [Pianimals Institute](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals/online-institute): This online event is the perfect introduction to Pianimals, clarifying the ideas of Piano Somatics and making them easy to apply... and it's also a chance fo… - [Pianimals Study Group](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals/study-group): The Pianimals study group is for those less lazy than Sleepy Bear (pictured below). Whether or not you have completed the Pianimals Online Institute if you w… - [Pianimals Study Group X](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals/study-group-x): The Pianimals study group is for those less lazy than Sleepy Bear (pictured below). Whether or not you have completed the Pianimals Online Institute if you w… - [Lesson Tutorials](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals/teachers-tutorials): Are the Pianimals exercises unclear to you? Get a better understanding by watching these short video tutorials embedded in the page below. You can also go di… - [Pianimals Pointers](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/pianimals/pointers-tutorials): Pianimals Pointers, a group of exercises to advance your pupil's playing skills easily, effectively and quickly. ## Recordings - [Russian Recital](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/russian-recital): Recorded in Subotica Town Hall, 1997, featuring Scriabin's 3rd sonata, Vers La Flamme, Rachmaninoff's 2nd sonata plus works by Medtner & Balakirev - [The Yellow Door](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/yellow-door): Alan writes, "Many pianists are at their best when there is no need to prove oneself, to impress the listener, to measure up to some fictitious gold standard… - [McGill 2010](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/pollack-hall-2010): In 2010 Alan's father, Clarke Fraser was granted an honorary doctorate by McGill University where he had worked as Canada's first medical geneticist. These r… - [Concordia 1994](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/oscar-peterson-hall-1994): In 1994 Alan returned to his alma mater to record works by Scarlatti, Liszt and Scriabin on a Yamaha concert grand. The editing facilities at the time were l… - [Place des Arts 1989](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/place-des-arts-1989): In 1989 Alan had been studying with Kemal Gekic only a few months, but the results were already beginning to show. These recordings were made in a Place des… - [Rachmaninoff](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/rachmaninoff): Rachmninoff was dismissed by early 20th century critics as an anachronism, behind the times, lacking in modernity. The scores show this to be demonstrably fa… - [Chopin & Co.](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/chopin-and-co): Chopin's music is inimitable although many composers have tried with great success. It seems to come from another world, yet at the same time is eminently hu… - [Recordings: Music & Feldenkrais](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/rosmalen-festival-2024): The Lady Chapel on the Coudewater Estate near Hertogenbosch was host to a Feldenkrais & Music Festival led by Alan Fraser at the beginning of June 2024. In t… - [Mexico Master Class](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/pianimals-in-mexico): Early April 2024 Alan made a short visit to Mexico City to work with a group of pianists at the Do Re Mi Music Academy. Watch the entire day of master class… - [Online Institute Recordings](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/online-institutes): During and following the Covid-19 pandemic, Alan Fraser brought his Piano Somatics Institute to the internet, teaching several online institutes to pianists… - [Pianimals Institute Online Recordings](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/pianimals-online): The Pianimals Online Institute was developed to give teachers hands-on experience of the Pianimals exercises. Participants learned to give their pupils the e… - [Pianimals Study Group Recordings](https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/recordings/pianimals-study-group): In this bi-weekly study group, a participant prepares a piece from the repertoire to be studied - often an easier piece, one that we often give our pupils. W… ## Contact - Contact page (organisers and phone numbers): https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/contact - Email: info@alanfraserinstitute.com - Find a certified teacher: https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/teachers - Videos and store: https://pianotechnique.org