Hanon is a collection of exercises highly regarded as the go-to method for building technique when learning the piano.
Because it intensively trains finger agility through scales, arpeggios, repeated notes, and more, it’s widely used from beginners to advanced players.
This article clearly explains the overview and characteristics of the piano method “Hanon,” along with effective practice approaches.
Hanon Exercise No. 1
What Is the “Hanon” Piano Method?
History and Overview of Hanon
- A collection of 60 short exercises presented in a progressive order
- Its primary goal is to develop finger independence, flexibility, and agility.
- Because many phrases are simple and repetitive, it’s widely used from beginners to advanced players.
“Hanon” was created by French music teacher Charles-Louis Hanon and is a collection of studies specialized for piano finger training.
Why Is Hanon So Well-Known?
Here are the main reasons why the piano method “Hanon” is famous.
- Highly versatile: Regardless of whether you’re using Beyer, Burgmüller, etc., adding Hanon in parallel boosts fundamental finger technique.
- Efficient short exercises: Each study is about 1–2 pages, making it easy to use for warm-ups or when short on time.
- A time-tested classic: Adopted in music education worldwide, so there’s abundant guidance and teaching materials from instructors.
Characteristics of Hanon
Pros
◯ Improves finger agility
You can efficiently practice scales, arpeggios, and repeated notes, making your fingering smoother.
◯ Trains both hands evenly
Many exercises practice the same patterns with both hands or alternate between left and right.
◯ Noticeable results in short time
Even using it for daily warm-ups changes finger sensitivity, which benefits your performance in other pieces.
Cons
◻︎ Lacks melodic content
Because the patterns are mechanical and not very musical, some people may find them monotonous.
◻︎ Overdoing it can cause fatigue
Simple repetition can overwork muscles and lead to finger or wrist fatigue and pain.
◻︎ Attention to fingering and form is essential
Repeating with incorrect form can be counterproductive, so checking with a professional/teacher is recommended.
Effective Ways to Study Hanon
Here are tips for practicing Hanon and ways to stay motivated.
Practice Tips
Start slowly and accurately
Don’t rush to play fast; use a metronome and prioritize accuracy at a comfortable tempo.
Target weak patterns
Extract patterns that trip you up—like repeated notes or wide spans—and drill them in isolation for efficiency.
Stay relaxed and mindful of breathing
Excess tension puts unnecessary strain on the wrists and arms, hindering progress and raising injury risk.
How to Stay Motivated
Start with short sessions
Beginning with just 1–2 minutes as a warm-up is fine. Keep it sustainable without pushing too hard.
Track your progress
Set small goals like “I reached tempo XX today” or “I completed one loop of the weak pattern with no mistakes.”
Practice alongside other pieces
To avoid boredom from “just moving fingers,” combine Hanon with favorite pieces or melodic studies to make it easier to continue.
Comparing Hanon with Other Piano Methods
Burgmüller’s “Burnam” (Burnam Method)
Difficulty / Stage: Introductory to Beginner
Key features
Short mini-pieces with stick-figure illustrations make it fun to learn the basics.
Who is it for?
If Hanon’s motions feel too tough or too monotonous, it’s a good idea to start with Burnam before moving on to Hanon.
Beyer
Difficulty / Stage: Absolute beginner
Features
Learn the “foundation of piano,” such as reading notes and rhythm.
How to combine with Hanon
Lightly play Hanon as a warm-up before starting pieces to calibrate finger feel.
Burgmüller
Difficulty / Stage: After finishing Beyer to early-intermediate
Features
Studies that develop beautiful melody and expressive playing.
How to combine with Hanon
If you want to focus on expression, warming up with Hanon helps you transition smoothly into musical playing.
Czerny
Difficulty / Stage: Beginner to Advanced (Op. 599/849/299, etc.)
Features
Studies that strengthen technique such as finger independence and fast passagework.
How to combine with Hanon
When used alongside Czerny, it’s effective to warm up with simple patterns, then move on to Czerny’s practical études.
Inventions (Bach)
Difficulty / Stage: Intermediate level
Features
Learn two- and three-part counterpoint, developing independence and expressive control in both hands.
How to combine with Hanon
Supplement control of both hands with Hanon to support contrapuntal clarity.
Sonatina Album
Difficulty / Stage: Intermediate (often alongside Inventions and Czerny Op. 599/849)
Features
Learn Classical sonata form to further improve structural awareness and expressive ability.
How to combine with Hanon
Hanon’s repetition is helpful for stabilizing left-hand Alberti bass and right-hand fast passages.
An Example Learning Sequence
- Burnam (Intro–Beginner): Enjoyably build fundamentals with stick-figure illustrations.
- Beyer: Acquire the foundational skills of piano.
- Hanon (in parallel or after Beyer): Efficiently train finger independence and agility in a short time.
- Burgmüller: Develop musicality and expression while leveling up basic technique.
- Czerny (Op. 599–849 range): Strengthen true fingerwork such as fast passages and repeated notes.
- Inventions (Bach): Deepen expression and analytical thinking through polyphony.
- Sonatina Album: Understand Classical sonata form and step up to intermediate level.
Within this sequence, Hanon can be incorporated at any time as a warm-up.
It’s especially effective when you’re focusing on technical development (around the Czerny stage).
Next Steps After Hanon: Study Plans for Intermediate and Beyond
Recommended Methods & Pieces After Finishing Hanon
◯ Czerny Op. 849 / Op. 299 (40 & 50 Studies)
Apply the agility gained from Hanon to more advanced études and aim higher.
◯ Inventions
Hanon-trained finger independence and agility are extremely helpful.
◯ Romantic Études (Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, etc.)
They demand both technique and advanced expression, where Hanon’s foundation really shines.
Combining with Lessons or Online Learning
In-person lessons
Having a teacher check fingering and form helps prevent ineffective practice.
Online lessons
Take lessons via video calls at home; use recordings to objectively review your form.
Summary: Making the Most of the “Hanon” Piano Method
Hanon is a collection of exercises that efficiently develops finger agility and is popular among players from beginner to advanced.
Although repetitive and not melodic—so you may get bored—using short, focused drills smartly can yield big results.
- Pros: Builds fundamentals like scales and arpeggios; easy to combine with other method books.
- Cons: Can feel monotonous; neglecting form checks may have adverse effects.
- Effective practice flow: Slow & accurate → Focus on weak patterns → Repeat within a manageable limit.
- Next steps: Ideal preparation for more advanced studies like Czerny and the Inventions.
By incorporating Hanon as a tool for warm-ups and overcoming weaknesses, you can greatly improve stability and smooth fingerwork in your performance.
Study it alongside other method books to develop technique and musical expression in balance.