“His études for piano are masterpieces,”

– so said Berlioz when he assessed Chopin’s work.

Many people in the piano world have heard about Chopin’s études, but do you really know what they are all about? Yes, my friends, that is the big question.

Before going any further, it is important to clarify what an étude is. Traditionally, an étude is written to develop fundamental piano techniques and specific technical skills. However, Chopin transformed the genre into something entirely unique. His études became technically demanding and profoundly expressive concert works in their own right. As the Polish musicologist and critic Artur Bielecki stated, “Before Chopin, the piano étude was merely a modest functional piece of a didactic character.”

Frédéric Chopin was still very young when he began composing his twenty-seven études while living in Warsaw. His first set was completed around the time he left Poland in 1830. It took him approximately eleven years to compose all twenty-seven études, works that have trained generations of pianists and continue to shape piano education today. It is no surprise that Schumann described them as “works that are truly poetic.” These pieces also influenced later composers such as Liszt and Debussy.

As a musician and piano teacher, I constantly seek knowledge, challenge, and improvement. I believe Chopin’s études offer an extraordinary approach to piano practice, suitable not only for advanced students but also for developing pianists who want to strengthen their technique with clarity and purpose. Each étude focuses on specific technical skills, including:

• Broken chords – Étude in C major, Op. 10 No. 1

• Thirds – Étude in G sharp minor, Op. 25 No. 6

• Sixths – Étude in D flat major, Op. 25 No. 8

• Octaves – Étude in B minor, Op. 25 No. 10

• Arpeggios in both hands – Étude in E flat major, Op. 10 No. 11

Working through these pieces can significantly improve piano skills, strengthen weak areas, and refine technical control. They challenge coordination, endurance, articulation, tone production, and musical phrasing all at once.

If you are looking to deepen your piano practice routine, build technical confidence, and elevate your piano playing, I highly recommend studying some of Chopin’s études. Whether you are taking piano lessons, learning through online piano lessons, or working independently with a piano learning app, these masterpieces can help you progress toward your short-, medium-, and long-term goals.

Once again, Berlioz was right: “His compositions for piano created a school.”

So what are you waiting for? Sit at the piano and experience Chopin for yourself. With structured guidance and responsive real-time feedback, Clefer can support your journey as you explore these remarkable works and continue growing through focused, meaningful piano practice.