Étude Op. 10 No. 4 in C-sharp minor
About this arrangement
It was published in 1833 in Chopin's first set of études, Op. 10, dedicated to Franz Liszt. Its nickname 'Torrent' comes from its restless character, not from Chopin.
Work hands separately at 50% and keep the fingers close to the keys. Loop the handovers where the running notes move from one hand to the other until the line sounds unbroken.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 How hard is Chopin's Étude Op. 10 No. 4?
It's advanced. The tempo is Presto con fuoco and both hands must play running sixteenth notes evenly at high speed.
02 How long is the étude?
Our edition has 83 bars.
03 What should I practise first?
The right-hand figure in the opening bars and the left-hand version that answers it. Play each alone slowly, then together at 50%.
04 Why is it called the Torrent étude?
The nickname describes its constant, rushing motion. Chopin only gave it a tempo marking.
