Dreaming

Stephen W. BeattyOp.46

RomanticObscureromanceE-flat majorAndante3/4~3 min

About this piece

This is a salon-style character piece characteristic of late 19th-century amateur repertoire. It features a sweeping, song-like melody supported by simple broken-chord accompaniment.

What makes it challenging

At Henle 2 this is a beginner-level piece, where steady coordination between the hands is the main hurdle. 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 rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.

Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.

Teacher notes

Focus on maintaining a smooth, singing melodic line while balancing the weight of the accompaniment.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingrubatovoicing

Mood

lyricaltendernostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

What to play around Dreaming

Similar to Dreaming

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.

More Stephen W. Beatty, off the beaten path

Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Dreaming (Op.46) by Stephen W. Beatty?

Dreaming (Op.46) is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 3.

What level do I need to play Dreaming?

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.

How long is Dreaming?

A typical performance of Dreaming (Op.46) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Dreaming?

Dreaming (Op.46) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Dreaming?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Dreaming by Stephen W. Beatty, Digital Piano No.2 by Stephen W. Beatty, Digital Piano No. 1 by Stephen W. Beatty — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.