25 Exercises for Small Hands Op. 748: Piano Studies

Czerny crafted these 25 studies specifically for pianists with smaller hands, solving a real access problem without compromising musical integrity or technical challenge. Each exercise builds methodically on the previous one, allowing teachers to assign work that feels manageable yet demanding. The progression from intermediate to advanced means you can stretch a student's capabilities without jumping to a completely different book.

Direct and unpretentious. These studies have a workmanlike quality that respects your intelligence; they don't dress themselves up as concert pieces, but they're never dry. Each one presents a specific challenge to solve, leaving satisfaction when you nail it.

Students with smaller hands who need technique-building material designed for their proportions, rather than adapted versions of standard studies. Intermediate to advanced piano students benefit from the progressive structure, which can accompany concurrent lesson work or standalone technique practice.

• Set a comfortable tempo first and only increase speed once each exercise can be played with relaxed hands and consistent tone quality. Rushing these studies defeats their purpose.
• Practice hands separately when learning a new exercise, even if the writing seems simple. This builds security and lets you focus on hand shape and finger independence.
• Attend to the given dynamic markings and articulation; Czerny's notation guides you toward musical interpretation, not just mechanics.
• Map out the hand position and spacing before you begin. These exercises reward economical movement and clear awareness of where your hand sits on the keyboard.

Assign these as supplementary technique work alongside repertoire study rather than as standalone recital material. A teacher might select individual exercises to address specific technical gaps, or assign them sequentially as part of a term's practice routine.

• Hand independence and finger articulation tailored to smaller hand spans
• Legato and staccato control across both hands
• Scalar passages and broken chord patterns at moderate tempo
• Pedal coordination (in exercises where indicated)
• Reading mixed interval patterns and rhythmic figures
• Building confidence through progressive, achievable challenges