Étude in G-flat major, No. 5

Frédéric Chopin

RomanticWell-knownetudeG-flat majorVivace3/4~2 min
H7
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 8

About this piece

Known as the 'Black Keys' étude, this piece is almost entirely played on the black keys of the piano. It is a brilliant display of digital dexterity and light, fluttering articulation.

Teacher notes

Students must develop extreme lightness and evenness in the right-hand fingerwork to maintain the character of the piece.

Technical focus

speed-agilityfinger-independencearticulationflowing-sixteenths

Mood

playfulbrilliantelegant

Listen & watch

Your status

Not in your repertoire

Sign in to track this piece

Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Étude in G-flat major, No. 5

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 7 pieces (Late advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Étude in G-flat major, No. 5 by Frédéric Chopin?

Étude in G-flat major, No. 5 is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play Étude in G-flat major, No. 5?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Étude in G-flat major, No. 5?

A typical performance of Étude in G-flat major, No. 5 lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Étude in G-flat major, No. 5?

Étude in G-flat major, No. 5 is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Étude in G-flat major, No. 5?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Waltz in A-flat major by Frédéric Chopin, Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin, Ballade No.3 by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.