Blue butterfly

Robert Bannister

ModernObscurepreludeAllegro vivace6/8~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 5

About this piece

This piece utilizes rapid, flowing sixteenth-note patterns to evoke the fluttering motion of its namesake. It relies on fluid arm weight to maintain a delicate, light quality.

Teacher notes

Control of the arpeggiated figures is required to keep the performance sounding light and effortless.

Technical focus

speed-agilityarpeggiosflowing-sixteenths

Mood

atmosphericelegantgentle

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Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Blue butterfly

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Blue butterfly by Robert Bannister?

Blue butterfly is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.

What level do I need to play Blue butterfly?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 butterfly?

A typical performance of Blue butterfly lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Blue butterfly?

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

What pieces are similar to Blue butterfly?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Caelum Spring by Kazue Rockzaemon Isida, Arabesque No. 1 by Claude Debussy, Berceuse from Dolly suite by Gabriel Fauré — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.