Schmitt: Preparatory Exercises, Opus 16: Piano Book

Students who work through Schmitt's Op. 16 develop the finger independence and thumb mechanics that scales demand, without the monotony of scales alone. The three-part structure lets you diagnose exactly where a student struggles: isolated finger control, thumb mechanics, or scale fluency itself. This clarity makes targeted practice efficient and gives students tangible progress between lessons.

The early exercises feel deliberate and quiet, building awareness of each finger's weight and independence. By the middle section, the work becomes more athletic as the thumb learns to negotiate underneath, and the final scales and arpeggios carry the satisfaction of recognizing patterns you've already internalized through the earlier drills.

Intermediate to advanced pianists working on scales, arpeggios, and hand position efficiency. This book suits students who have learned basic technique but need systematic preparation before tackling faster passage work in sonatas and concert pieces.

• Isolate each hand through the first section before combining them; finger independence emerges more reliably when the opposing hand is silent.
• Use a metronome starting at a tempo where evenness is possible, then increase gradually; these patterns expose rhythmic inconsistencies that slow practice conceals.
• Shape the second section's thumb-under passages with consistent hand position; watch that the wrist stays level and the arm doesn't rotate to compensate for thumb reach.
• Apply the notated fingerings in the final section precisely; Schmitt's choices reveal the most efficient hand positions and prevent the detours students improvise.

Assign Schmitt as core lesson material for students aged 10-13 or adult beginners making the transition to more advanced repertoire. The 40-page collection spans several months of study, making it ideal for students preparing for a recital or advancing into Romantic-era sonatas that demand secure technique.

• Finger independence through coordinated single and double-note patterns within a fifth
• Thumb-under technique for smooth scale and arpeggio motion
• Reading and applying notated fingerings for hand efficiency
• Evenness and control across the hand at moderate tempos
• Recognition of scale and arpeggio patterns through physical practice