Banjo Eyes

Richard Armstrong Whiting

ModernObscureromanceC majorModerato4/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

Originally a show tune transcription, this piece highlights early 20th-century American melodic style. It is distinguished by its lyrical approach to the banjo theme, rather than a strictly percussive one.

Teacher notes

The main difficulty is phrasing the melody with an appropriate 'swing' while maintaining a clean left hand.

Technical focus

cantabilevoicingpedaling

Mood

elegantnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Banjo Eyes

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 Banjo Eyes by Richard Armstrong Whiting?

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

What level do I need to play Banjo Eyes?

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 Banjo Eyes?

A typical performance of Banjo Eyes lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Banjo Eyes?

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

What pieces are similar to Banjo Eyes?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bmini Bay by Richard Armstrong Whiting, Belle of the Ball by Leroy Anderson, Waltz in A minor by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.