Buttin' In

Julia Shaw

ModernObscureromanceModerato4/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 3

About this piece

Buttin' In is a rhythmic, jazz-influenced pedagogical work that explores syncopated accents and short melodic bursts. It is musically distinctive for its 'call and response' dialogue between the lower and upper registers.

Teacher notes

Focus on the precise rhythmic placement of the syncopations to maintain the piece's forward drive.

Technical focus

repeated-notesarticulationvoicing

Mood

playfulenergetic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Buttin' In

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 Buttin' In by Julia Shaw?

Buttin' In 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 Buttin' In?

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 Buttin' In?

A typical performance of Buttin' In lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Buttin' In?

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

What pieces are similar to Buttin' In?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, Waltz in D-flat major, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin, 12 Variations on 'Ah vous dirai-je, Maman' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.