Aligator Crawl

Fats Waller

ModernKnowntoccataC majorModerate2/4~3 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 8ABRSM 7

About this piece

Aligator Crawl is a quintessential example of Fats Waller's stride piano style. It is characterized by its infectious rhythmic drive and the virtuosic interplay between the syncopated right hand and the steady bass.

Teacher notes

Mastering the steady left-hand 'stride' jump while maintaining a loose, swinging right hand is the primary challenge.

Technical focus

left-hand-independencespeed-agilityarticulation

Mood

energeticplayful

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Aligator Crawl

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

Browse all Henle level 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Aligator Crawl by Fats Waller?

Aligator Crawl is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.

What level do I need to play Aligator Crawl?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 Aligator Crawl?

A typical performance of Aligator Crawl lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Aligator Crawl?

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

What pieces are similar to Aligator Crawl?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bach Up To Me by Fats Waller, Black and Blue by Fats Waller, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.