Etude

Listen to the "Transcendental" Etude by Liszt

A piece of music designed to aid technical study of a particular instrument but played for artistic value. Etudes are compositions built on a technical idea or motive but all good etudes can stand alone of purely artistic value. Some of the most difficult pieces written for instruments are etudes. During the Romantic period the piano etudes of Chopin and especially Liszt created enormous technical demand on the pianists who attempted to perform them. When played in public etudes can thrill an audience of concert goers while at the same time show off the skill of a virtuoso musician.