Blue Monday

George Gershwin

ModernKnownrhapsodyC majorModerate2/4~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Blue Monday is a blues-infused piano work by George Gershwin originally composed for an operatic scene but often transcribed for piano. It is distinctive for its early jazz syncopations and authentic use of blues blue notes.

Teacher notes

The main technical hurdle is executing the jazz-style syncopation with rhythmic precision against the left-hand pulse.

Technical focus

left-hand-independencearticulation

Mood

playfulenergetic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

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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 Monday by George Gershwin?

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

What level do I need to play Blue Monday?

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 Monday?

A typical performance of Blue Monday lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Blue Monday?

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

What pieces are similar to Blue Monday?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include 'S Wonderful by George Gershwin, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.