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Romantic · etude

51 Exercises, WoO 6: No. 1b

Johannes Brahms · Level 6, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

An exercise from a collection published in 1893. 51 Exercises, WoO 6: No. 1b is an etude by Johannes Brahms from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.

On this page
  • etude
  • Romantic
  • playful

Also known as Brahms - 51 Übungen für Klavier No. 1b.

History

Exercise 1b belongs to Brahms's 51 Exercises for Piano, WoO 6, published in 1893. The publication date is a documented milestone for the exercise collection, not proof that Brahms first devised this individual exercise in that year. Its lettered number identifies a specific member of the collection.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Broken groups rise in register

    Follow the upward direction across the related broken-note groups, rather than hearing each as an isolated exercise.

  2. The rising sequence continues higher

    The same kind of movement reaches a higher register. Listen to its continuity across the changed placement.

  3. The direction turns downward

    The pattern descends as the relative staff grouping changes. Hear the new direction without inventing a fingering plan.

  4. The descending pattern continues lower

    The final span continues the exercise texture in lower registers. Hear its ongoing shape without adding a tonic cadence absent from the file.

How to practise it

Coordinate unequal groups without making either line uneven.

  1. Practise the upper groups alone while tapping three quarter-note pulses.
  2. Practise the lower rhythm alone, then combine only the transition beat slowly.
  3. Connect the examined opening at a comfortable tempo only when its separate layers feel settled.

How hard is it

Level 6, estimated

The selected technical exercise needs coordinated evenness and controlled touch; its level depends strongly on intended practice tempo and fingering.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Johannes Brahms, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The study studio
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Johannes Brahms

  1. Waltz, Op. 39 No. 10, solo piano editionLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79 No. 1Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Coordinate unequal groups without making either line uneven.

Practise it in PlayPiano