2025/08/28
World Unified Music Certification Association
We are the World Unified Music Certification Association.
Today, we would like to provide you with an overview of instructional books for fundamental piano practice and their key features.
Beyer
Commonly known as “Beyer,” this instructional book was composed by the German musician Ferdinand Beyer around 1851 for beginners learning classical piano. It is one of the most well-known piano method books in Japan and has long been used as an introductory text for piano study.
The Beyer book consists of 106 exercises and is generally categorized into two types: one for children and a standard version for adults. The children’s version includes simplified pieces that can be played with one hand.
The exercises gradually increase in difficulty, allowing learners to naturally develop their technical skills while building a foundational sense of classical music. Although it was created in the 19th century and may feel somewhat outdated, it remains a widely accessible entry point for beginners. It emphasizes correct hand posture, finger numbering, and relaxed form to prevent hand fatigue. Exercises include right-hand-only practice, as well as playing with both hands.
In Japan, Beyer is often considered the simplest instructional book, with a general target of completing the 106 exercises over approximately three years. After finishing Beyer, students typically move on to Sonatinas, Czerny Etudes, or Burgmüller. However, some Beyer pieces are more difficult than those in other method books, so the choice of material should depend on your individual goals and needs.
Recommended for:
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Beginners starting piano for the first time
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Self-taught piano learners
Although Beyer has certain limitations as a modern teaching tool, newer adaptations such as “Sub-Beyer” have been published, retaining its strengths while addressing its weaknesses.
Hanon
This technical exercise book was composed by 19th-century musician Charles-Louis Hanon. Featuring repetitive finger patterns, it is highly effective for developing finger strength and dexterity.
Beyond finger exercises, there are other variations like “Chord Hanon” and “Scale Hanon,” useful for various practice scenarios. Hanon has even expanded beyond piano into instruments like guitar, bass, and jazz piano—demonstrating its adaptability.
Hanon famously wrote in his introduction:
“If all five fingers of both hands are equally trained, any piece written for the piano can be played.”
Though the practice is mechanical and monotonous, it offers key benefits:
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Identical movements in both hands help develop even finger strength
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Constant tempo fosters endurance
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Repetitive practice builds strong keystrokes while maintaining relaxation
Each page includes explanations of the purpose of that exercise, helping learners understand which fingers to focus on and how.
Drawbacks:
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Exercises mainly use white keys (except in scale practice)
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Improper technique may cause strain or injury to fingers, hands, or wrists
Hanon exercises are unnamed and referred to as “Hanon No. 1,” “Hanon No. 2,” etc. You can search for these on YouTube to watch professional performances for reference.
Despite its monotony, Hanon can be highly effective when practiced creatively—by closing your eyes, focusing on finger relaxation, or using variations. Because the phrases are repetitive, strong sight-reading skills are not required, making Hanon suitable for early-stage learners.
Czerny
Compiled by Austrian composer and pianist Carl Czerny—a student of Beethoven—this method book is widely respected for its ability to improve sight-reading skills.
Czerny’s studies gradually increase in difficulty, making them ideal for daily practice to build up both technique and sight-reading ability. Unlike Hanon, many exercises include chords, not just single notes, allowing learners to experience a wider variety of musical phrasing and techniques.
His etudes are categorized into several collections:
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Op. 599 (Practical Method for Beginners)
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Op. 849, Op. 299, Op. 740, etc.
Op. 599 is the most basic and increases in difficulty from there. Choose the appropriate level based on your progress.
While Czerny pieces do not contain practice explanations or headings, learners are encouraged to analyze musical symbols and directions to understand the composer’s intent.
Thorough practice of Czerny’s works may even reveal similarities to Beethoven’s compositions later on—making these studies not only technical but musically enriching.
Burgmüller
This instructional book was composed by German composer Friedrich Johann Franz Burgmüller. It includes 25 pieces that are often used in recitals and competitions, making them quite popular and widely recognized.
Many students, especially girls in elementary school, may have played these pieces during breaks at school—having learned them during piano lessons.
The pieces are not arranged by difficulty. Instead, they offer a variety of classical piano phrases and techniques. You can start with any piece you like—especially one you’re familiar with—to make the learning process more enjoyable.
Although labeled as “etudes,” each is a complete musical work. They focus not only on technical training but also:
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Developing expressiveness and musicality
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Learning pedal use and touch control
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Balancing melody and accompaniment
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Interpreting tempo and dynamic markings
The melodies often switch hands, helping learners become familiar with new musical patterns and balance.
List of Included Pieces:
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La candeur (Innocence)
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Arabesque
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Pastorale
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Petite réunion
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Innocence
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Progress
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Clear Stream
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Grace
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The Hunt
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Tender Flower
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The Wagtail
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Farewell
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Consolation
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La Styrienne
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Ballade
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A Little Lament
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The Chatterbox
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Anxiety
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Ave Maria
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Tarantella
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Angel’s Voice
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Barcarolle
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The Return
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The Swallow
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La Chevaleresque (The Rider)
Sonatinen (Sonatina)
This is another widely used method book in piano education. Most students proceed to Sonatinen after completing Beyer and Burgmüller.
The word “Sonatina” means “little sonata”—simpler in technique and shorter in length compared to full sonatas. Essentially, it serves as an introductory sonata for intermediate players.
While these pieces contain artistic elements, they also emphasize both technical proficiency and expressive interpretation. Many pieces consist of three movements (exposition, development, recapitulation), helping students understand musical form.
Sonatinas often feature large-scale hand movements and octave stretches, training hand flexibility, finger spacing, and keyboard awareness without visual guidance.
Since the pieces do not have titles, interpreting musical symbols and directions becomes essential—developing the student’s ability to express the music. Many students now reference performances on YouTube to understand phrasing and style before learning to play.
Once you’re more comfortable with a piece, practicing with a metronome is important for developing a solid sense of rhythm. Sonatinas are an excellent foundation for eventually playing longer, grander sonatas that captivate listeners from start to finish.
In Conclusion
We hope this overview has helped you better understand the features of five foundational piano method books for beginners:
Beyer, Hanon, Czerny, Burgmüller, and Sonatina.
Instructional books are not limited to piano—they exist for guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, and more.
However, what’s most important is fully immersing yourself in one book and mastering it.
Instead of lightly touching a piece and quickly moving on, spend time understanding the expression, emotion, fingering, and the relaxed control that comes from repetition and familiarity.
The five books introduced here are all world-renowned and effective for beginning piano students.
Whichever one you start with, be sure to practice deeply and with intent.