Zez Confrey's classic novelty rag is a masterclass in syncopation and technical virtuosity. It features signature repeated notes and rapid, jazz-influenced patterns.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; repeated-note passages that require controlled, springy fingerwork; and rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.
Beyond that, expect precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
The repeated notes must be executed with absolute evenness and crispness to achieve the characteristic sparkle.
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.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Coaxing the Piano is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 Coaxing the Piano lasts about 3 minutes.
Coaxing the Piano 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 Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 'S Wonderful by George Gershwin, Canto del guajiro by Ernesto Lecuona — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.