Classical Piano: How to Play Chopin's Prelude in E Minor

Develop the piano skills necessary to play Chopin’s Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4 in E Minor.

This four-week online course is designed to teach you a significant and timeless composition from the Romantic Period, enabling you to improve your fluency and expression on the piano or keyboard.

Through guided instruction, you’ll analyze chord progressions, learn patterns within the piece, and develop a structured approach to practice that enhances both efficiency and musicality. You’ll work with an arrangement of Chopin's Prelude in E Minor that makes the piece accessible while maintaining its expressive beauty. The course will help you break the right-hand passages into manageable segments, so that you learn to connect them fluidly into cohesive musical phrases. You'll also train your left hand to navigate chord progressions smoothly, recognizing shapes and transitions that facilitate natural movement.

Beyond technique, you’ll explore the historical and cultural significance of Chopin’s work. Understanding the Romantic Period and its emphasis on emotional depth will guide your interpretation of the prelude, helping you shape your playing to reflect the era’s stylistic nuances. By the end of this course, you’ll have the tools to perform the piece expressively while maintaining technical precision. This comprehensive approach will strengthen your overall musicianship, providing skills applicable to more piano repertoire.

What you will learn:

✔ Play an arrangement of Chopin’s Prelude in E-Minor
✔ Develop and apply structured practice strategies to improve efficiency and deepen your understanding of the piece
✔ Analyze and interpret the musical elements of the prelude, ensuring your performance aligns with the Romantic Period’s stylistic characteristics
✔ Strengthen your technical abilities by performing right-hand melodic patterns and left-hand chord progressions

Prerequisite Skills

• Completion of Piano & Keyboard Basics 1 and Piano & Keyboard Basics 2, or equivalent knowledge and/or experience.