Etude in C Minor | Classical Piece for Solo Piano (Early Intermediate)

Etude in C Minor — Brock Chart

Etude in C Minor is a dramatic, bold classical-style solo written for early intermediate students. The idea for this piece came from one of my students who loves the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata—especially its powerful minor chords and thrilling speed—but isn’t quite ready to tackle the original.

Etude in C Minor captures that same sense of excitement with driving rhythms, powerful minor chords, and flashy hand crossings. Students can experience the drama and intensity of virtuosic classical repertoire while developing technique at an accessible level.

With its exciting sound and impressive visual flair, Etude in C Minor is the perfect showstopper for students who love dramatic classical music but aren’t quite ready for Beethoven yet.

🎵 About this piece:

• Level: Early Intermediate
• Style: Classical / Dramatic
• Format: Piano Solo
• Pedagogical focus: Hand crossings, chord playing, rhythmic precision, dynamic contrast, articulation, minor-key playing, and developing speed and control
• Exploration: Experiment with dynamic contrast and dramatic phrasing to bring out the intensity of the music, and practice the hand crossings separately to develop confident, fluid movement across the keyboard.
• Scan and Play: Scan QR code for the full recording.

📚 Perfect for:

• Early intermediate students who love dramatic classical music
• Developing confident hand crossings and chord technique
• Building speed, rhythmic precision, and technical control
• Students inspired by Beethoven and other dramatic classical repertoire
• Recitals, festivals, studio classes, and showstopping performances

🎵 Listen to this piece: