Étude in G-flat major "Black Keys"
About this arrangement
Chopin probably wrote it in the summer of 1830. The right hand plays only black keys apart from a single F natural. Chopin himself called it the least interesting of the études for anyone who didn't know it was written for the black keys.
Work the right hand alone in small groups, looping one or two bars at 50% tempo. Keep the fingers close to the keys and aim for a light, even sound before you raise the tempo.
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 the Black Key Étude?
It's advanced. The right-hand patterns are very fast and the black keys give the fingers less room than white keys.
02 How long is Op. 10 No. 5?
Our edition has 85 bars in 2/4.
03 What should I practise first?
The right hand alone, a couple of bars at a time. Add the left hand once the right hand can run at 75% tempo without tension.
04 Does the right hand really play only black keys?
Almost. The right hand plays a single white key in the whole piece, an F natural in bar 66.
