Bubbling Over

John William Kellette

RomanticObscurewaltzF majorAllegretto3/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 3

About this piece

This salon-style waltz reflects the popular music trends of its era, characterized by an idiomatic, lighthearted charm. It focuses on the balance between lyrical sections and rhythmic dance motifs.

Teacher notes

Practice the left-hand 'oom-pah-pah' pattern to ensure it does not overpower the light melody.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmrubatopedaling

Mood

playfulnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is Bubbling Over by John William Kellette?

Bubbling Over 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 Bubbling Over?

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 Bubbling Over?

A typical performance of Bubbling Over lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bubbling Over?

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

What pieces are similar to Bubbling Over?

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.