I was delighted to find the source quote for an old axim that I had heard and experienced many times over in Rabbi Daniel Lapin's excellent book, "Thou Shall Prosper":

I have learned much from my teachers, even more from my colleagues, but I have learned most by far from my students.

- Rabbi Hanina

This has certainly been the case thanks to the wonderful time I spent with the Piano Studies students at Strings International Music Festival earlier in June.  One student in particular (well, her mother actually) posed one of the best questions I've ever fielded:  Starting from "ground zero", what's the best technical regimen for piano students who are serious about training to get into the top music conservatories like Curtis and Juilliard?

Here's a 6 year "power piano" program based on the technique books I studied myself to help develop a terrific foundation and strong fingers capable of independant dexterity.  It begins with some mind-numbing repetition exercises for the first 2-3 years, then shifts to more "musically-based" etudes, ending with some real gems of the repertoire.  By no means is this the only method out there, but having been personally called to jump in to "rescue" concerts at the last minute, I've gone to my old teacher (Mrs. Eleanor Sokoloff, who still calls me "Hughie" to this day...sigh...) and thanked her repeatedly for pounding these techniques into me as a young lad, equipping me to be able to tackle the most difficult technical challenges on a moment's notice.

The source for the majority of these scores is IMSLP.org and are provided here in the MusicReader file format.  For other sources, links are provided.

A disclaimer:  PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND WORK UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PROFESSIONAL PIANO TEACHER!  Some of these exercises can really hurt your hands/fingers if you don't know what you're doing - just as you wouldn't try benching 300 pounds from the get-go without proper training and spotting, the same needs to apply for going through these exercise regimens.  We forget how similar piano playing is to sports sometimes, and can neglect the proper muscle care needed to ensure proper strength training and maximum flexibility if we're not careful.

Year 1:  Scales, Arpeggios, and The Little Pischna by Bernard Wolff

The source for this copy of The Little Pischna comes from a Microsoft scan of an old, yellowed score at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center.  The Internet Archive lists it as being "Not in Copyright", so I'm going to take them at their word.   Due to the poor quality of the scan, I'm including both the MusicReader version and the link to the original PDF source on the Internet Archive page:

The Little Pischna - MusicReader version

The Little Pischna - Link to Internet Archive Page

Last pages contain fingerings for all major, minor melodic/natural and minor harmonic scales.  Arpeggio exercises comprise the last portion of the book.  Scales in all keys should be learned within 1-2 years.  The 48 "regular" exercises in this book can be covered at the rate of approximately 1 per week, with allowances to stretch out the remainder of the year as needed.

Year 2: The "Big" Pischna - 60 Progressive Exercises

There is a PDF copy floating around on a Korean site, but I suspect that it's copyright status might be dubious at best in that form.  Better source would be to purchase both volumes from EveryNote.com (which has a strange spelling for Pischna:  "Pischina":

Pischna's 60 Progressive Exercises, Volumes 1 and 2 at EveryNote.com

This is the "Arnold Schwarzenegger" of strength-building exercise books.  Many long and frustrating hours of sweat and tears stained the keys of my old Steinway L getting through this torture manual.  Boy, am I glad I had this as part of my training!

If you're interested in getting through this at the pace of 1 per week, feel free to skip similar exercises, but try to get through the bulk of the material.  You'll be able to crush walnuts with your fingers after getting through this book.

Year 3: Joseffy and Moszkowski

Our next stop on the torture train is Joseffy's "School of Advanced Piano Playing".  This book contains my all-time favoritest, most diabolical exercise set:  trills for all adjacent finger pairs.  Try the one for the 4th and 5th fingers - you will cry.

Joseffy School of Advanced Piano Playing - MusicReader version

Joseffy School of Advanced Piano Playing - PDF

Now we finally get to exercises that start to sound like actual music with Moszkowski's 15 Etudes de Virtuosité, Op.72.  Lots of fun finger twisters and virtuosity builders.

Moszkowski 15 Etudes de Virtuosité, Op.72 - MusicReader version

Moszkowski 15 Etudes de Virtuosité, Op.72 - PDF

Year 4: Chopin Etudes Op. 10 and Op. 25

These are among the most beautiful - and challenging - concert etudes out there.  By no means is one expected to learn all 24 in just one year - either select a few favorites with the help of a teacher, or just enjoy taking your time working through these.  A wide variety of technical situations are covered, from velociraptor runs to that nasty etude in thirds, the infamous black key etude, and so many many more.

Chopin Etudes Op. 10 and Op. 25 - MusicReader version

Chopin Etudes Op. 10 and Op. 25 - PDF

Year 5: Liszt Part 1

With Liszt, the etude form is presented on the concert stage in grand form.  Here are the 3 concert etudes, as well as the 6 etudes based on themes by Paganini (my favorite being the last one in A minor).

Liszt 3 Concert Etudes - MusicReader version

Liszt 3 Concert Etudes - PDF

Liszt Grandes Études de Paganini - MusicReader version

Liszt Grandes Études de Paganini - PDF

Year 6: Liszt Part 2 and Debussy

In this final year, we tackle the fearsome Transcendental etudes by Liszt, and get introduced to an entirely new harmonic world with Debussy's 2 books of 12 etudes.

Liszt Transcendental Etudes - MusicReader version

Liszt Transcendental Etudes - PDF

Debusy Etudes Book 1 and 2 - MusicReader version

Debusy Etudes Book 1 and 2 - PDF

A Daily Breakdown

One other terrific question from the same mother was regarding a recommended daily technical routine to aim for.  This really depends on the discipline and motivation of the student, but assuming all batteries are charged to capacity, I would recommend all scales and arpeggios to start with once they're all properly learned (i used to read comic books during my S & A's, but please don't follow my bad example!!).  Final target metronome speed might be somewhere around 160 4 notes per tick, but feel free to play faster if you can ensure consistent accuracy.  All told, they should take up around 10 minutes minutes at the most.  Another 10 to 20  minutes working through a technique book like Joseffy or Pischna would round out the warmup/strength training portion.  Total for the warmup/strength training: 20-30 minutes.

Once the student has advanced to the Moszkowski etudes or Year 4+ repertoire, then an additional 30 to 40 minutes might then be spent applied to a concert etude from the Chopin, Liszt or Debussy collections.  These would require full focus and attention, and perhaps strategic practicing to isolate and iron out problem spots.  Total minimum daily time for warmups and advanced technique:  1 hour. Feel free to increase as needed.

Don't get in a tizzy if you don't get to cover every last etude volume cover to cover - I've actually only touched on a few of the Liszt etudes myself, and never actually worked on the Debussy at all (but they look so intruiguing!).  Even if you only get through a handful of these powerhouse pieces, your fingers will be stronger and more dextrous than ever.

If you have any other suggested methods that you'd like to share, leave a comment below!