An introductory canonic piece designed for pedagogical clarity. It focuses on simple interval imitations in a modern, tonal language.
Keep the pulse strictly metronomic to allow the canon to unfold clearly.
Canon No.1 (S.B.8) is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 3.
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.
A typical performance of Canon No.1 (S.B.8) lasts about 1 minute.
Canon No.1 (S.B.8) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.