Hanon -- The Virtuoso Pianist, Bk 2 (Alfred Masterwork Edition) (Paperback)

by Charles-Louis Hanon (Author), Allan Small (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The most widely used piano technique book ever written, The Virtuoso Pianist was designed to develop agility and strength in all the fingers as well as flexibility of the wrists. Translated from the original French, this Masterwork edition, designed for intermediate to early advanced pianists, includes Exercises 21-43. It is clearly engraved for easy reading. Book 1 (Alfred edition 617) is also available, and contains Exercises 1-20 and Hanon's original introduction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing (June 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739022040
• ISBN-13: 978-0739022047
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,756,087 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helpful and fun exercises, January 28, 2008

By	ldeguz (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virtuoso Pianist (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) (Plastic Comb)

I am learning the piano on my own using the Alfred book(s). The Hanon book is very helpful at my beginning stage. I realize my 4th finger is hard to control, as well as my 5th, and the exercises are improving their movement. I didn't think it would be this fun to play such exercises. It is driving my wife crazy though.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for technique, April 6, 2008

By	Hugo (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virtuoso Pianist (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) (Plastic Comb)

I've worked on the first ten of the 60 excercises and I think it's great for working up your speed and technique. I bet later on when I go back to practicing classical pieces I will find amazing results. This book is worth it's price and then some!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boot camp for the fingers, January 4, 2009

By	Carleton Wu (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virtuoso Pianist (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition) (Paperback)

Reviewers who rate this item as poor because it is not a substitute for playing etudes etc are missing the point. This is not intended to be particularly musical, or to be a practice of every aspect of the art of piano playing. It is the equivalent to stretching or warming up before playing a sport- athletes will go through a number of activities that are not exact replicas of in-game situations.
Rigorous practice of these exercises is invaluable for the beginning or intermediate pianist. Unlike other reviewers I cannot speak to the habits of concert pianists, but I do know that what is appropriate for the professional may not be appropriate for the talented amateur (and vice-versa).