Burgmüller Op. 109 No. 8: Agitato: tempo and how to practice it

Burgmüller Op. 109 No. 8: Agitato is part of “18 Études de genre, Op. 109” by Friedrich Burgmüller (1806–1874). Main focus: fast passages with expressive intent. In our transcription it is in E minor, in 4/4 time, and 31 bars long. Suggested tempos: start at ♩ = 88 to learn it, practice at ♩ = 138 and work up to the target of ♩ = 176. Difficulty 4/10 (intermediate).

The pattern and its fingering

First bar of our transcription, note by note, with the fingering the app shows.

Right hand	E–G–B–G–E–G–B–G–E–G–G–B–E–G–G–B
Left hand	G–B–G–B–G–B–G–B

■ right hand (finger above) · ■ left hand (finger below)

What it trains

Fast passages with expressive intent.
Melody-and-accompaniment textures in one or both hands.

How to practice it

Mark the phrases in the score and breathe between them like a singer.
Secure the fast passages with rhythm variants before playing them straight.

Tempo ladder: ♩ = 88 → ♩ = 113 → ♩ = 138 → ♩ = 157 → ♩ = 176. Only move up a step once the take comes out clean; in the app, the progressive metronome does it for you.

Composer	Friedrich Burgmüller (1806–1874)
Work	18 Études de genre, Op. 109
Difficulty	4/10 · Intermediate
Key	E minor
Time signature	4/4
Bars	31
Suggested tempos	learn ♩ = 88 · practice ♩ = 138 · target ♩ = 176
Where the target tempo comes from	composer's metronome mark: ♩ = 176, printed in the first edition (Paris, 1858)
Transposable	no
Status in the app	Available
Copyright	public domain: Burgmüller died in 1874