Butterflies

Charles Leslie Johnson

RomanticObscureromanceE-flat majorModerato4/4~4 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 3

About this piece

Johnson's work is a quintessential example of early 20th-century American salon music. It is marked by its sentimental melody and lush, arpeggiated accompaniment.

Teacher notes

Utilize sensitive pedaling to connect harmonic changes without blurring the melodic line.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

nostalgiclyrical

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Butterflies

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 Butterflies by Charles Leslie Johnson?

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

What level do I need to play Butterflies?

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 Butterflies?

A typical performance of Butterflies lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Butterflies?

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

What pieces are similar to Butterflies?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Belle of Havana Waltzes by Charles Leslie Johnson, Butterflies Caprice by Charles Leslie Johnson, Blue Goose Rag by Charles Leslie Johnson — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.