Big Ben

Thomas S. Allen

RomanticSpecialistmarchF majorModerato4/4~3 min
H2
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 2

About this piece

Thomas S. Allen's Big Ben is a lighthearted, march-inspired piece that mimics the rhythmic chimes of the famous clock tower. It is a staple of early 20th-century American educational piano music.

Teacher notes

Practice steady, crisp rhythmic placement in the bass to represent the clock striking.

Technical focus

alberti-basscantabilearticulation

Mood

energeticplayful

Listen & watch

No video available for this piece.

Your status

Not in your repertoire

Sign in to track this piece

Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Big Ben

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

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Big Ben by Thomas S. Allen?

Big Ben is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 3.

What level do I need to play Big Ben?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 2 — meaning you can already play level 1–2 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 Big Ben?

A typical performance of Big Ben lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Big Ben?

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

What pieces are similar to Big Ben?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Blumenwalzer by Léon Jessel, Bluin' the Blues by Henry Ragas, Bohemia by Joseph Francis Lamb — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.