Piano chords · Classical salon
How to play Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major) on piano
By Frederic Chopin
- F major
- 4/4
- 56 BPM
- V7–I–V7–I loop
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C7 – F – C7 – F
How it goes
Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major) sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C7 is C, E, G and Bb; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
C7V7FIC7V7FI- C7C · E · G · Bb
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Music-box murmur
How it goes
Low, high, middle, high in quick notes, tinkling like a music box. Musicians call it alberti bass 8-12-10-12 (alberti bass), a medium pattern heard in 48 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 56 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: F – Bbm – F
How it goes
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FBbmF- BbmBb · Db · F
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Questions about Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major)
What chords are in Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major)?
The loop is C7 – F – C7 – F (V7 – I – V7 – I) in F major, and the song ends on F – Bbm – F.
What key is Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major) in?
F major, at about 56 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major)?
Music-box murmur: alberti bass 8-12-10-12, a medium pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Etude In F Major, Op. 10, No. 3 (originally E Major) easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.