Composed by Daniel Léo Simpson, this étude makes use of the bright, resonant qualities of B major. It features expanded hand positions and requires a confident, projected tone.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: wide stretches that reward larger hands and clever redistribution; big chords that need weight without harshness; and a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment.
The primary challenge is negotiating the large-span chords without sacrificing rhythmic stability.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Etude No.7 in B major is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of Etude No.7 in B major lasts about 3 minutes.
Etude No.7 in B major is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Etude No.9 in G minor by Daniel Léo Simpson, Etude No.2 in A minor by Daniel Léo Simpson, Etude No.5 in C minor by Daniel Léo Simpson — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.