1913 Medley Blues

Alexander Mark Valentine

ModernObscuremarchF majorBlues tempo4/4~4 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

This piece represents the intersection of early 20th-century blues influence and traditional piano salon form. It is distinct for its syncopated rhythm and the application of blues-inflected harmonies within a rigid formal structure.

Teacher notes

The challenge is internalizing the syncopations to ensure they feel stylistic rather than rigid.

Technical focus

rubatoarticulationleft-hand-independence

Mood

melancholicenergetic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to 1913 Medley Blues

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 3 pieces (Late beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is 1913 Medley Blues by Alexander Mark Valentine?

1913 Medley Blues is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 4.

What level do I need to play 1913 Medley Blues?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is 1913 Medley Blues?

A typical performance of 1913 Medley Blues lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 1913 Medley Blues?

1913 Medley Blues is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to 1913 Medley Blues?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Brises du nord by Léon Delahaye, Blues by Marshall Fine, Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.