Hanon and Schmitt: Preparation for Virtuosity - Piano

Technical Exercises for the Development of Strength and Dexterity

Aloys Schmitt and Charles-Louis Hanon, Edited by Tom Gerou

This edition progressively pairs selections from two classics in piano technique literature, Preparatory Exercises, Op. 16 by Aloys Schmitt and The Virtuoso Pianist, Part 1 by Charles-Louis Hanon.

The Opus 16 exercises 1–33 form an effective introduction to the exercises found in The Virtuoso Pianist, Part 1. Their five-finger patterns fit well under small hands, requiring less stretching of the fingers, and provide a solid foundation necessary for the technical development found in the Hanon exercises.

Both the Schmitt and Hanon exercises progress quite rapidly toward advanced technique, yet most students are introduced to only a small amount of the material. The introductory exercises in this book are best aligned to the student needing a gradual but solid technical foundation. This edition excludes exercises that require stretches beyond the developmental capabilities of students with small hands.