Burgmüller Op. 109 No. 15: Les sylphes: tempo and how to practice it

Burgmüller Op. 109 No. 15: Les sylphes is part of “18 Études de genre, Op. 109” by Friedrich Burgmüller (1806–1874). Main focus: fast passages with expressive intent. Suggested tempos: start at ♩ = 69 to learn it, practice at ♩ = 108 and work up to the target of ♩ = 138. Difficulty 5/10 (intermediate).

What it trains

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

How to practice it

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

Tempo ladder: ♩ = 69 → ♩ = 88 → ♩ = 108 → ♩ = 123 → ♩ = 138. Only move up a step once the take comes out clean; in the app, the progressive metronome does it for you.