Bobbin' Up and Down

Theodore F. Morse

RomanticObscuremarchF majorModerato2/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 3

About this piece

A character piece from the turn of the century, intended for the salon audience. The rhythmic momentum is the primary force of the work, reflecting popular dance styles of the era.

Teacher notes

The main technical challenge involves maintaining a crisp rhythmic drive throughout the sixteenth-note passages.

Technical focus

articulationfinger-independenceflowing-sixteenths

Mood

playfulnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Bobbin' Up and Down

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 Bobbin' Up and Down by Theodore F. Morse?

Bobbin' Up and Down is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 3.

What level do I need to play Bobbin' Up and Down?

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 Bobbin' Up and Down?

A typical performance of Bobbin' Up and Down lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bobbin' Up and Down?

Bobbin' Up and Down is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Bobbin' Up and Down?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Beija-flor, IEN 4 by Ernesto Nazareth, Beija-flor by Ernesto Nazareth, Cardosina by Ernesto Nazareth — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.