Kayser Op. 20: violin études you can hear
Heinrich Ernst Kayser’s 36 Elementary and Progressive Studies, Op. 20. 9 studies are on this site so far, each playing in your browser with a slow, a practice and a goal tempo, a loop over any bars, and versions for other instruments where the notes fit.
The studies
| Study | Key | Tempo | Metre | Bars | Also for | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kayser Etude 1 (Op. 20 No. 1) | C major | Allegro moderato | 4/4 | 38 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 2 (Op. 20 No. 2) | F major | Andante, quasi Adagio | 4/4 | 28 | B♭ clarinet, B♭ trumpet, E♭ alto sax, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 3 (Op. 20 No. 3) | F major | Allegretto | 2/4 | 80 | B♭ clarinet, B♭ trumpet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 4 (Op. 20 No. 4) | C major | Allegro | 4/4 | 50 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 5 (Op. 20 No. 5) | A major | Allegro vivace | 6/8 | 90 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 6 (Op. 20 No. 6) | E-flat major | Allegro molto | 4/4 | 68 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 7 (Op. 20 No. 7) | B-flat major | Allegro moderato | 4/4 | 64 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 8 (Op. 20 No. 8) | D major | Comodo | 3/4 | 102 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
| Kayser Etude 9 (Op. 20 No. 9) | G major | Allegro assai | 2/4 | 109 | B♭ clarinet, F horn | – |
About the book
Heinrich Ernst Kayser (1815–1888) published his 36 Elementary and Progressive Studies, Op. 20 as a step up from books like Wohlfahrt's. They are longer, they go through more keys, and they start using higher positions.
Each study keeps one pattern going from start to finish, such as running eighths, triplets or sixteenths. That makes them good for building evenness and stamina, and it means a slow, looped practice tempo pays off quickly.
How to practise with the player
These studies are long. Split each one into four-bar chunks, loop a chunk at the slow tempo until it is clean, then join two chunks together. Keep the goal tempo for the day you can play a whole page at the practice tempo without stopping.
The full book is public domain and scanned on IMSLP. The player has the notes and rhythms only, so keep the printed page for slurs, bowings and dynamics.
Questions
- Is Kayser harder than Wohlfahrt?
- A little. Kayser's studies are longer, use more keys and move out of first position sooner. Many teachers start Kayser Op. 20 when a student is partway through Wohlfahrt Op. 45.
- What does Kayser Etude 1 work on?
- Eighth notes in C major: scales and broken chords that cross the strings, with dynamics that change every few bars. Its page plays it at a slow, a practice and a goal tempo.
- Where can I get the Kayser Op. 20 sheet music?
- The whole book is public domain and scanned on IMSLP (linked on this page). Each study page names the edition its notes came from.
- Is there a clarinet or horn version?
- Yes, for every study listed here: a B♭ clarinet version and an F horn version, where all the notes fit. They sound at the violin's pitch.
Other study books
- Wohlfahrt Op. 45 (violin)
- Rose 32 Etudes (clarinet)
- Ferling Op. 31 (oboe)
- Easy pieces for violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet and sax
Your study isn’t here?
Photograph the page with ScoreLens and it plays in the app the same way: slower, looped, in your key. It reads single-line parts from printed music.
