The Finlay Method: A Scientific Approach to Beautiful Piano Playing

The Finlay Method, developed by concert pianist and educator Dr. Michael Finlay, offers a practical and evidence-based approach to piano technique that blends musical artistry with principles drawn from biomechanics, anatomy, and learning science. Designed for serious pianists at all levels, the method provides a structured framework for developing technical control, avoiding injury, and unlocking greater musical freedom.

At its core, The Finlay Method is a project of synthesis: it brings together key principles from the Taubman Approach, the Russian School, the teaching of Marc Durand, movement science, and neuroscience to form a cohesive and comprehensive approach to piano playing. By emphasizing the connection between physical coordination, sensory feedback, and musical intention, the method offers a clear and reliable path through technical challenges. Rather than relying on abstract imagery or overly mechanical instruction, it focuses on whole-body coordination and purposeful movement grounded in the body’s natural function at the instrument.

Dr. Michael Finlay developed this method in response to a problem he encountered both personally and in his teaching: talented pianists often hit technical roadblocks—or worse, are injured—not because of a lack of effort or musicality, but because they were never taught how their bodies actually work at the piano. Drawing on his training at top conservatories and his deep study of pedagogy, movement science, and injury prevention, Finlay created a method that translates complex ideas into clear, actionable tools to help pianists play with greater freedom, efficiency, and control.

A key concept of The Finlay Method is the principle that the fingers must never act alone, but with the support of the structures behind them. They function as the endpoint of a coordinated system involving the whole body. This integrated approach reduces tension, improves reliability, and allows for a broader range of tone and expression.

The Finlay Method emphasizes coordination rather than simply aiming for relaxation. As Dr. Finlay writes, “I have come to avoid the word ‘relaxation,’ not because it’s wrong, but because it’s imprecise. Coordination and freedom are what actually produce the feeling of relaxation. We can’t ‘relax’ our way into coordinated playing—coordinated movement is what gives us the feeling of effortlessness that we might call ‘relaxation.’”

By focusing on how movements are organized, The Finlay Method provides pianists with clear, actionable tools for reducing tension, improving reliability, and achieving a more expressive sound.

While The Finlay Method draws upon movement science and biomechanics, it also emphasizes the importance of musical imagination. Dr. Finlay believes that technique must always serve music, and that refined playing begins in the mind and ear. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and motor learning, the method helps pianists develop a vivid internal conception of sound—what Finlay calls the “sound image”—that shapes movement at the keyboard. “The more active and demanding your musical imagination becomes,” he writes, “the more you have to work with as you refine your technique.” By cultivating the loop between inner hearing, physical coordination, and musical result, The Finlay Method equips pianists with tools to unlock both technical mastery and artistic depth.

Pianists who have engaged with The Finlay Method consistently highlight its clarity, depth, and immediate impact. Ben Alwes, a semiprofessional pianist based in Chicago, reported noticeable breakthroughs after just one session. “The presentation was fascinating and gave me so much to practice and think about. I noticed instant improvement on passages I’d been struggling with after applying the methodology.” Diana Cusano, who is preparing for the 2028 Van Cliburn Amateur Competition, described Finlay’s masterclass as “fantastic—packed with practical insights I could apply immediately to my practice.” She especially praised the method’s clear explanations of anatomy, injury prevention, and the thoughtful integration of research and experience.

The Finlay Method is particularly notable for its interdisciplinary foundation, drawing from music education, movement science, and motor learning. This synthesis offers pianists a path that goes beyond traditional teaching methods—one that supports both technical mastery and artistic freedom, while actively addressing the risk of overuse injuries that many musicians face. By integrating insights from multiple fields, The Finlay Method provides a comprehensive and sustainable approach to building a healthy, expressive pianistic technique.

While scientific studies on piano technique continue to evolve, piano pedagogy itself has been rigorously studied for centuries. The Finlay Method builds on this rich tradition, drawing from some of the most well-established ideas in pedagogical literature while integrating contemporary insights from biomechanics and motor learning. Its emphasis on coordination, sensory feedback, and injury prevention reflects not only current research but also time-tested principles of effective teaching. The result is a method that bridges tradition and science to support healthy, expressive, and reliable piano playing.

For more information on The Finlay Method and its approach to piano technique, visit www.finlaymethod.com, www.michael-finlay.com, and follow the method on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.