Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist, Part I - Preparatory Exercises: Preparatory Piano Book

Hanon's Part I establishes the foundation every piano student needs, and this FJH edition removes guesswork by printing fingering on every note of the first system. Having two pages per exercise gives students room to work without page turns interrupting their focus. The inclusion of six variations means teachers can adapt exercises to address specific technical challenges without hunting through supplementary materials.

These are disciplined, methodical exercises built on repetition and incremental challenge. They don't aim for beauty or expression; they aim for control. The satisfaction comes not from any single exercise but from the cumulative progress of fingers becoming stronger, more independent, and more obedient to intention.

Piano students working through their first systematic technique curriculum, typically around early elementary to early intermediate levels. Teachers who want a reliable, time-tested resource for building finger independence and evenness without having to supplement with multiple books. Studio teachers and conservatory instructors who recognize that strong foundational mechanics prevent technique problems later.

• Start slowly enough that you can play each exercise with complete relaxation in the hand and wrist. Speed comes only after the movement pattern becomes automatic.
• Practice hands separately until the finger work feels effortless, then combine. Many students rush to both hands and reinforce tension they don't yet realize they're carrying.
• Track which exercises expose your technical weak points and cycle those more frequently than the ones that already feel comfortable.
• Apply the six variations strategically to exercises where your evenness or finger independence lags. Don't treat them as optional additions; use them as targeted technique builders.

Hanon works best as daily studio practice material rather than concert repertoire, but many teachers assign it alongside repertoire that students are learning for recital. The exercises build the technical facility needed to play more complex pieces successfully. Assign specific exercises in sequence, cycling back to earlier ones periodically to ensure foundational patterns remain solid as new material increases in difficulty.

• Finger independence and articulation within a five-finger position
• Even tone production across all fingers
• Building finger velocity and stamina
• Hand position and posture awareness
• Sight-reading simple, systematic finger patterns
• Transposing a single exercise to multiple keys