Beside Still Waters

Bernard Hamblen

RomanticObscureromanceAndante4/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 3

About this piece

A late-Romantic parlor piece intended for amateur enjoyment. Its defining quality is its atmospheric, hymn-like quality that relies on sustained, lush harmonic textures.

Teacher notes

Mastering the control of the damper pedal to create a rich, sustained sound without blurring the harmonies is the key task.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

serenecontemplativegentle

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Beside Still Waters

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 Beside Still Waters by Bernard Hamblen?

Beside Still Waters 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 Beside Still Waters?

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 Beside Still Waters?

A typical performance of Beside Still Waters lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Beside Still Waters?

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

What pieces are similar to Beside Still Waters?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Berceuse by Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann, Brise du soir by Eugène Nollet, Albumleaf No.11: Nocturnette by Shuwen Zhang — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.