The piece is in a single-part form.

a (measures 1-8) + a1 (measures 9-14) + Coda (measures 15-18)

The key is A major. An etude (study) is primarily concerned with the acquisition of technical skill. Consequently, most etudes tend to repeat similar movements multiple times to facilitate the repeated practice of a single technique. In this work, too, the motif presented in measure 1 is repeatedly developed. From measures 1 to 4, while ascending and with the left hand crossing over the right hand in measure 4, the left hand reaches the highest note A and pauses temporarily. Measures 5 to 8 present a partial development of the motif, serving as an exercise in performing the left-hand leap observed in measure 4 while crossing both hands.

In the latter half, section a1, the piece is richly colored and unified through the utilization of secondary dominant chords.