Blue Book

James Alfred Reilly

ModernObscurenocturne4/4~4 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

James Alfred Reilly's work is a modern reflection on the nocturne form. It features sweeping, introspective melodic lines over a stable harmonic foundation.

Teacher notes

Pay close attention to melodic phrasing and the use of the sustaining pedal to create legato lines.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

contemplativeintimate

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Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Blue Book

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 Blue Book by James Alfred Reilly?

Blue Book 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 Blue Book?

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 Blue Book?

A typical performance of Blue Book lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Blue Book?

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

What pieces are similar to Blue Book?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Albumblatt by Johannes Brahms, Arrorró 'Los Niños Duermen' by Carmen Barradas, Berceuse by Aleksandr Ilyinsky — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.