Hanon-Faber "The New Virtuoso Pianist" Chapter-by-Chapter Worksheet — Piano Practice for 14-Year-Olds

Instructions

Read through each section carefully. These questions are designed to help you think more deeply about your Hanon practice, connecting the physical exercises to musical theory and effective practice strategies. Use your Hanon-Faber "The New Virtuoso Pianist" book as a reference to answer the questions.

Section 1: Getting to Know Hanon

1. Charles-Louis Hanon created these exercises in the 19th century. What was his primary goal for pianists who used his book, "The Virtuoso Pianist"?




2. The Faber edition is called "The New Virtuoso Pianist." Based on your book, what do you think the editors added or changed to make these classic exercises more modern and student-friendly? (Hint: Look for things besides the notes themselves).

Section 2: Part 1 - The Foundation (Exercises 1-20)

This section is focused on achieving finger independence, strength, and evenness.

1. Look closely at Exercise No. 1. Describe the melodic pattern of the right hand in the first two measures. What is the main technical challenge of this repeating pattern?




2. The primary goal of Exercises 1-20 is to develop:
   a) Dynamic control and phrasing
   b) Pedal technique
   c) Finger strength, agility, and independence
   d) Sight-reading complex chords


3. Simply playing the notes over and over can become boring. List three specific ways you can vary your practice of a single Hanon exercise to make it more effective and interesting.
   (Example: Practice with a dotted rhythm.)

Section 3: Part 2 - Building Blocks (Exercises 21-43)

This section moves beyond basic finger patterns into the essential building blocks of music: scales and arpeggios.

1. Exercise No. 39 is a workout for playing scales. What major scale does the exercise begin with?




2. A common challenge in scales and arpeggios is the "thumb-under" motion. What is one piece of advice for making this motion smooth, quick, and efficient, so your notes sound even?




3. Music Theory Challenge: The first measure of Exercise No. 41 (The Arpeggio) in C Major consists of the notes C-E-G-C (up) and G-E-C (down). Transpose this pattern to A minor. Write the note names below.

Section 4: Part 3 - Virtuoso Skills (Exercises 44-60)

The final section tackles advanced techniques required for virtuoso performance.

1. Match the exercise with the primary technique it develops.
   • Exercise No. 46
   • Exercise No. 51
   • Exercise No. 60

   • A. Scales in Octaves
   • B. Repeated Notes
   • C. Preparatory for the Trill


2. Reflection: Which technical skill from Part 3 (e.g., trills, octaves, repeated notes) do you think is most important for the pieces you are currently learning? Explain why.

Section 5: Beyond the Notes

1. Hanon exercises are purely technical. How can practicing them help you play a piece by a composer like Mozart or Beethoven, whose music is full of emotion and expression?




2. Set one SMART goal for your Hanon practice this month. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Answer Key

Section 1: Getting to Know Hanon

1. His goal was to help pianists acquire the necessary technique (speed, precision, agility, strength, and independence of the fingers) to play any piece of music with ease.
2. Answers will vary, but may include: The editors added helpful practice tips, advice on musicality, historical context, and a clearer, more modern layout.

Section 2: Part 1 - The Foundation (Exercises 1-20)

1. The pattern ascends for 5 notes (C-D-E-F-G), then shifts up a step and descends for 5 notes (A-G-F-E-D). The main challenge is keeping all notes perfectly even in timing and volume, especially as the hand position shifts.
2. c) Finger strength, agility, and independence
3. Answers will vary. Examples include: varying the articulation (legato, staccato), varying the dynamics (crescendo, diminuendo), practicing hands separately, practicing in different keys (transposing).

Section 3: Part 2 - Building Blocks (Exercises 21-43)

1. C Major
2. Answers will vary. Key advice includes: Prepare the thumb by moving it under the hand early, keep the wrist flexible (not stiff), and move the arm laterally along with the hand instead of twisting the wrist.
3. A - C - E - A (up) and E - C - A (down)

Section 4: Part 3 - Virtuoso Skills (Exercises 44-60)

1. • Exercise No. 46 → C. Preparatory for the Trill
   • Exercise No. 51 → B. Repeated Notes
   • Exercise No. 60 → A. Scales in Octaves
2. Answers will vary, but should connect a specific technique to a specific challenge in their current repertoire.

Section 5: Beyond the Notes

1. By developing a reliable and effortless technique through Hanon, a pianist can focus less on the physical difficulty of hitting the right notes and more on the musical aspects of a piece, such as phrasing, dynamics, and emotional expression. A strong technique is the foundation for musical freedom.
2. Answers will vary. A good answer will be specific and measurable. Example: "For the next month, I will practice Hanon No. 21 every day for 10 minutes, aiming to increase my tempo cleanly from 80 bpm to 96 bpm on the metronome."