Description
The subject is a chromatic scale climbing in sixteenth notes in the right hand, its mix of white and black keys to be joined smoothly with careful fingering (F major, 4/4). The left hand supports it with a simple accompaniment of quarter notes alternating between chord tones, over whole-note bass notes. It lasts about 34 seconds, with 114 notes.
Czerny built Op. 821 to treat one technique at a time within the narrow frame of eight bars, so that the pieces can be worked into daily practice a little at a time. No. 7 is the second in the run of F major pieces, and is set at a fairly slow tempo.
Though rated beginner, it depends on fingering: the chromatic scale is normally played with a set fingering built mainly on the thumb and third finger, and if that fingering slips, the notes will not come out evenly. Make use of the slow tempo and slow the playback further to check each key's position one note at a time. Looking at the run of accidentals in the score view also helps. The range runs from F2 to G6, which fits a 61-key keyboard.
A set of 160 short studies by Czerny, each condensed into just eight measures so a single technical point can be worked on quickly. Their brevity makes them well suited to beginners building basic piano technique efficiently.
Browse all songs in 160 Eight-Measure Exercises Op.821 →Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Carl Czerny (1791-1857)
Carl Czerny was a Viennese pianist and composer who studied under Beethoven and later taught Franz Liszt. He is best known for his enormous output of piano etudes, which remain widely used in piano pedagogy around the world today. This site includes selections from the 160 Eight-Measure Exercises, Op. 821, and the 50 Progressive Studies in All Keys, Op. 840.
View all works by Czerny →