Black Star Line

Edgar Dowell

ModernObscuremarchG majorAllegretto2/4~2 min
H2
Henle (estimated)
RCM 2ABRSM 2

About this piece

Black Star Line is a light-hearted, parlor-style composition intended for amateur pianists of the early 20th century. It relies on standard harmonic structures and simple, tuneful melodic writing.

Teacher notes

Ensure the clarity of the short staccato articulation in the right hand throughout the piece.

Technical focus

articulationalberti-bassfinger-independence

Mood

elegantplayful

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 Black Star Line

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

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Black Star Line by Edgar Dowell?

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

What level do I need to play Black Star Line?

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 Black Star Line?

A typical performance of Black Star Line lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Black Star Line?

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

What pieces are similar to Black Star Line?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bach-bwv-anh-114 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach-anh-114 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Blumenwalzer by Léon Jessel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.