Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises for the Piano for the Acquirement of Agility, Independence, Strength, and Perfect Evenness: Complete (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 925) [Paperback]

Theodore Baker (Translator), C.L. Hanon (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1986

Since the first release of this classic Schirmer edition over 100 years ago, almost anyone who has taken piano lessons for more than two years has played from The Virtuoso Pianist. Millions of copies have been sold of these progressive exercises which guide a player's technique, building finger independence and strength. This was the first American edition released of this music, and remains a classic at a remarkably affordable price.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc.; Polonius Sheet Music edition (November 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793525446
• ISBN-13: 978-0793525447
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Classical
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Techniques
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Exercises

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

243 of 246 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll bet your piano teacher sent you over here..., June 14, 2001

By 

Eddie Landsberg "My 10th year as a reviewer !... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises for the Piano for the Acquirement of Agility, Independence, Strength, and Perfect Evenness: Complete (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 925) (Paperback)

As a child, I hated technical exercise books like this. I remember the old teacher with the ruler, the Bartok book, the red pen, the check marks the circles, and ahhhhhhhhhh... I shudder... But now, years later, I've not only become a professional Jazz musician, but I teach too, and you know something, even though my particular method of teaching involves very little reading (mainly because I teach Jazz improv) this is the one book that not only do I reccomend to my students, but also that I've started picking up again, because actually the exercises are relevent to players of all levels. The reason is because regardless of what type of music you play, the finger pattern exercises in this book are universal and relevent. On the surface they look very simple, almost childish compared to some of the more nightmarish books (Czerny, anyone?) but the truth is, once you've mastered them, melodies will fall under your fingers and hopefully you'll feel as home on your piano as you do on your computer keyboard ...

171 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These exercises really work., August 20, 2003

By 

Michael P. Cohan "Person with Piles of Books" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises for the Piano for the Acquirement of Agility, Independence, Strength, and Perfect Evenness: Complete (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 925) (Paperback)

If you want to strengthen your fingers and learn note patterns relevant to all types of music, you need this book. Yes, the exercises sound repetitive, and they'll drive anyone listening to you practice them nuts, but they work. And after practicing them for a while, you begin to realize that they are not as repetitive as they seem. The patterns vary in a way that becomes more obvious as you practice them more. The exercises are carefully designed to (1) strengthen the weak fingers of the hand (3-4-5), and (2) teach patterns of notes that recur not only in classical music but in melodies of all types of music. Each exercise varies in a manner that rests the fingers worked on in the previous exercise, so you can play through a series of them without overly tiring out your hands. For this reason they work great as warm-ups.

The book is divided into three sections of 20 exercises each. I use the first 20 as warm-ups, playing them for about 15 minutes. The later exercises are more advanced and teach things like fast running octaves, arpeggios, and repeated notes. Since I started using these exercises, my hands are noticably stronger. I've been playing piano for 32+ years, and play at an advanced level. But these exercises (at least numbers 1 through 20) would be useful for a pianist of any level, from beginner to advanced. Yes, they can be boring to play, but the improvement you will notice from 15-20 minutes a day is worth it.

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow..., July 6, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises for the Piano for the Acquirement of Agility, Independence, Strength, and Perfect Evenness: Complete (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 925) (Paperback)

I'm a beginner pianist and my teacher felt it necessary to have me not only practise my scales but also to strengthen my fingers, and so she gave me this book. I can't believe the difference its made. My fingers are a hundred times stronger than before!

When I first opened the book the first words out of my mouth were "You want me to play THIS!?!?!?!". But when I started playing them I realized they were actually really simple. Once you learn the first measure, you pretty much know the rest of the excersise. The excercises were really tiring at first, but after only a few days I could play the first six 4 times in a row without feeling overly tired.

I had some trouble with some of the later exercises (I've only gotten up to # 15), but that was because I didn't spend enough time on the earlier ones. Each excercise builds for the next, so that when you finish one your all ready for the following one. I don't think any of the excercises will be hard if I study the excersises I already know.

I think the excersises are alot more fun than some of the other things my teacher wants me to play. I don't think their annoying even if I repeat one over and over. I highly recomend this book.