Etüde

étude

noun e-TUE-de Rare

Origin: from French 'étude' (study)

Also means

study piece

Usage Note

Etüde is a short, technically demanding composition designed to develop a specific skill, such as speed or arpeggios. Chopin's Etüden are celebrated as concert pieces in their own right, not merely exercises.

Examples

"Die Pianistin spielte eine schwierige Etüde von Liszt."

Natural Translation

The pianist played a difficult étude by Liszt.

Literal Translation

The pianist played a difficult étude by Liszt.

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