A period ragtime composition by the noted publisher E.J. Stark, who worked closely with Scott Joplin. It features the characteristic 'stride' left hand and syncopated melodies typical of the genre.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; Alberti-bass accompaniment kept quiet and even under the melody; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect a waltz lilt that needs charm and a flexible left hand.
Watch for the consistent placement of accents on the weak beats.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Clover Blossoms Rag is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 Clover Blossoms Rag lasts about 3.5 minutes.
Clover Blossoms Rag is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 12 Variations on 'Ah vous dirai-je, Maman' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.