Andantino (Trois nouvelles études), B. 130 No. 1

9.8 Balance three against four

Study bars 9–16 of the first of Chopin’s Trois nouvelles études, in F minor: the right hand places three quarter-note tuplet positions against four left-hand eighth notes in each half-note pulse. Count the initial right-hand rest and keep both streams even. Warm up with the F harmonic minor scale; practise the separate three-against-four drill, then prepare the étude's right hand, left hand and both hands through the selected cells and transfer phrase. These concept excerpts do not count as the level's second performed study beside Scriabin’s Op. 2 No. 1; qualifying whole-study performance remains separate.

Ideas

• Polyrhythm

Theory cards

• Three against four

Technique

• C major three against four, hands together
• F harmonic minor scale, hands together, 4 octaves