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Romantic · etude

Étude in E major, Op. 10 No. 3

Frédéric Chopin · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A study in the set dedicated to Liszt. Étude in E major, Op. 10 No. 3 is an etude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • etude
  • Romantic
  • melancholic

Also known as Frédéric Chopin: Étude in E major, Op. 10 No. 3, "Tristesse".

History

The Paris Chopin Society places the twelve-study Op. 10 collection between 1829 to 1832 and records its first publication in 1833. A later Richault print, catalogued around 1860, names Franz Liszt as the set's dedicatee. The collection range does not give each study an independent completion year.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A melody reaches its first response

    The opening melody contours lead into a closing response. Hear their longer singing direction without treating source playback numbers as the character of the song.

  2. A more animated contrast changes the motion

    Contrasting figures become more animated and lead toward denser pitch groups. Compare their movement with the broader opening melody.

  3. Lower figures prepare the return

    The transition moves below and slows before the opening melody comes back. Hear the preparation as part of the larger phrase route.

  4. Familiar responses become a final gesture

    Recalled responses lead into repeated closing gestures. Listen to their settling direction rather than accenting each repeated shape equally.

How to practise it

Bring out the upper line without disturbing the inner pattern.

  1. Practise the upper phrase alone, then add voice 2 at a quieter volume.
  2. Practise the two lower voices with controlled relative volume before adding the upper line.
  3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The singing outer sections and technically challenging middle require distinct voicing and controlled changes of character.

About this piece

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

More by Frédéric Chopin

  1. Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Bring out the upper line without disturbing the inner pattern.

Practise it in PlayPiano