Hanon · The Virtuoso Pianist · Part III
Hanon Exercise No. 60 The tremolo
Exercise 60 of 60 from Hanon’s The Virtuoso Pianist, newly engraved from the 1900 Schirmer edition. The last study in the book, long and demanding: a tremolo that Hanon wants as fast as a drum roll. Press Play to hear it on a real piano, set the speed anywhere from Hanon’s 48 up to his 72, hear one hand at a time or switch on the metronome, and click any note to start from there.
As printed in Hanon’s book
The Tremolo.
(M. M. ♩ = 48 to 72)
To properly execute the tremolo, it should be played with the same rapidity as the roll on the drum.
Practise slowly at first; then gradually accelerate the tempo until the movement indicated (M.M. ♩ = 72) is reached. Finally, by oscillations of the wrists, the rapidity is still further augmented up to the tempo of the drum-roll. This etude is long and difficult; but the excellent result will fully repay the pianist for the trouble and fatigue encountered. Steibelt made his hearers shiver by his execution of the tremolo.
Click any note to hear from there. Space plays and pauses.
Hanon’s footnotes
Concluding Remarks. Now that the student has practised this entire volume, he is acquainted with the chief mechanical difficulties; but, if he would enjoy the fruit of his toil, and become a real virtuoso, he ought to play this entire book through every day for a certain time; only in this way can he familiarize himself with these great difficulties. An hour is required to play the book through.
The greatest artists find it necessary to repeat daily exercises for several hours, merely to “keep up their playing.” We should not, therefore, be accused of exaggerating the matter when we require of a student aspiring to true virtuosity, that he should play these exercises through every day.
Quick facts
- Book
- C. L. Hanon, The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises, Part III
- Trains
- The last study in the book, long and demanding: a tremolo that Hanon wants as fast as a drum roll.
- Key
- C major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Length
- 62 bars
- Hanon’s speed
- 48 to 72 crotchet beats a minute
- Source
- G. Schirmer edition, 1900; English text by Theodore Baker
- Copyright
- Public domain. This engraving is free to print, copy and share.
Questions and answers
How fast should Hanon No. 60 be played?
Hanon marks it 48 to 72, in crotchet beats a minute: start at 48 and raise the speed a little at a time, only once every note is even, until you reach 72. The speed slider above the music covers that range.
What is Hanon exercise No. 60 for?
The last study in the book, long and demanding: a tremolo that Hanon wants as fast as a drum roll. It is in Part III (virtuoso exercises).
Can I print or download Hanon No. 60?
Yes. Use Download the PDF at the top of this page for a print-ready A4 copy of this exercise; it also prints well on US Letter with fit to page. The whole book, all 60 exercises, is one PDF on the Hanon page. Both are free and out of copyright.
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