This piece is a short keyboard work from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book by the renowned English composer John Bull. It is distinct for its intricate contrapuntal writing and characteristically English Elizabethan keyboard style.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: independent voices that must each sing on their own line; ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect fine finger independence within the hand.
The primary challenge lies in executing the dense Elizabethan ornaments cleanly while maintaining rhythmic clarity in the counterpoint.
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.
Dr. Bull's Jewell, FWB CXXXVIII is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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 Dr. Bull's Jewell, FWB CXXXVIII lasts about 2 minutes.
Dr. Bull's Jewell, FWB CXXXVIII 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 Bonny Sweet Robin by John Bull, Dr. Bull's Jewell (CXXXVIII) by John Bull, Dr. Bull's Jewell, FVB 138 by John Bull — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.