Chopin Fragments Bundle (Vols. 1 & 2, PDFs)

Frédéric Chopin's Op. 10 and Op. 25 Études, published in 1833 and 1837, are crafted around specific technical challenges, including arpeggiated chords, double notes, and left-hand dexterity. His Études expanded the limits of 19th-century piano technique, elevating practical exercises to artistic masterpieces by combining musical substance with technical challenges. This approach paved the way for future composers such as Schumann, Debussy, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff to compose in a similar style. Furthermore, it has established a place for Chopin's Études in the core canon of classical piano for over 185 years.

The two-volume Chopin Fragments series reworks elements of Chopin's Op. 10 and Op. 25 Études as studies for classical and creative pianists and composers. These books are intended to inspire musicians who would like to apply these concepts to their own playing and compositions. It is also intended for pianists well-versed in Chopin's Études seeking to achieve equal mastery of his techniques in 12 keys.

These books distill specific technical challenges that highlight the use of Chopin's techniques beyond the scope of his original work. From each Étude, a short fragment has been extracted, modified, and, on occasion, expanded over an extended range. The changes result in four-to-eight-measure studies on each Étude. Studies inspired by the Op. 10 Études are found in Volume 1, and Volume 2 contains Op. 25-inspired studies.

Each study is introduced in the original key presented in Chopin's Études, with fingerings and articulations, followed by transpositions in the remaining 11 keys. The notated transpositions are provided to assist with learning these studies in all keys; however, I challenge you to analyze each study and, whenever possible, transpose it to the other keys without reading the transposed notation.

Finally, the studies included within the Chopin Fragments series only represent a small fraction of the inspiring ideas Chopin offers in his Études. Therefore, as you work through these volumes, I encourage you to revisit (or explore) Chopin's original Op. 10 and Op. 25 works. Try fashioning your own fragments from a different portion of each Étude, or reimagine the studies within these pages using your own creative ideas.

Happy Practicing!

Jon Snell
New York, NY
October 2022