Coasting

Cecil BurleighOp.9

ModernSpecialistG majorAndante6/8~2 min

About this piece

Cecil Burleigh's 'Coasting' is a charming, descriptive miniature that evokes the sensation of movement. It is a staple of American teaching repertoire from the early 20th century.

What makes it challenging

At Henle 3 this is a late-beginner piece — comfortable hands-together playing is assumed, and musical shaping starts to matter. The main demands: a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; careful pedaling — clarity depends on the foot as much as the fingers; and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.

Teacher notes

Focus on a smooth, flowing legato line to capture the undulating 'coasting' effect.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

serenegentle

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

What to play around Coasting

Similar to Coasting

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Easier, same character

A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.

The next step up

Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.

Browse all Henle level 3 pieces (Late beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Coasting (Op.9) by Cecil Burleigh?

Coasting (Op.9) 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 Coasting?

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 Coasting?

A typical performance of Coasting (Op.9) lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Coasting?

Coasting (Op.9) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Coasting?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Andantino in C major by Franz Schubert, Berceuse gasconne by Paul Lacombe, Berceuse by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.