Etude Op. 10, No. 5 "Black Key"

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Frédéric Chopin's famous "Black Keys" Etude in G-Flat Major, which is classified in Op.10, No.5, along with the "Revolutionary" Etude (No.12). Op.10, No.5 gets its name due to the fact that through out the entire piece, the right hand only plays black keys. There are also people saying that the right hand plays only one white key, but this is because of different editions of the etude.

The main melody of the "Black Keys" Etude is on the left hand, with mostly chords and octaves; while the right hand accompanies with the fast triplets on black keys. The speedy right hand, the fact that its all done on black keys, and also the huge jumps on the left hand chords are all difficulties to overcome when performing this piece. The etude ends with very fast octaves for both hands going two octaves down, which is another really hard place for this etude.

The performer is required to have great accuracy on black keys in order to play the "Black Key" Etude with the desired speed and quality.