Bo-La-Bo

George Fairman

ModernObscuremarchAllegro2/4~3 min
H2
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 2

About this piece

Bo-La-Bo is a novelty piano work that reflects the ragtime and dance music influences of its era. It is built upon repetitive rhythmic motifs that emphasize a buoyant and lighthearted character.

Teacher notes

Maintain crisp staccato articulation to capture the rhythmic drive of the piece.

Technical focus

articulationleft-hand-independencespeed-agility

Mood

energeticplayful

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Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Bo-La-Bo

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

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Bo-La-Bo by George Fairman?

Bo-La-Bo 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 Bo-La-Bo?

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 Bo-La-Bo?

A typical performance of Bo-La-Bo lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bo-La-Bo?

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

What pieces are similar to Bo-La-Bo?

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.