Charles-Louis Hanon

Charles-Louis Hanon (1819–1900) was a French pianist, composer, and music educator, best known for his influential book of technical exercises, The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises. Born in Renescure, France, Hanon dedicated his life to teaching and developing methods to improve piano technique.

His exercises focus on finger strength, independence, and agility, aiming to help pianists build a solid technical foundation. Hanon’s work became widely popular among piano students and teachers for its structured and progressive approach, although some musicians criticize its repetitive nature.

Beyond his technical exercises, Hanon contributed to piano pedagogy through compositions and teaching, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music education. His work continues to be a standard reference for pianists worldwide.