Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7

5.1 Travel around the circle

Study Chopin’s Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7. It never leaves A major, but bars 11–16 move round the circle of fifths: F sharp 7 to B minor, then E7 to A, each chord a fifth above the next. The double-accidentals card prepares later music; this prelude has none. At the keyboard: play neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

Ideas

• The circle of fifths
• Double sharps and flats
• Parallel keys

Theory cards

• The circle of fifths
• Double sharps and double flats
• Parallel keys

Technique

• G major pedal lifted at each rest: a clean stop, hands together
• A major scale, hands separately, 2 octaves