Bohemian Rhapsody

The piece at a glance

Composer

Freddie Mercury

Year

1975

Origin

Album A Night at the Opera

Key

B♭ major

Level

Advanced

Keys recommended

88

How difficult is it?

The calm opening lies well in the hand. After that, metre, tempo and character change several times, and the operatic section demands real reading.

The real hurdle

The transitions. Each section on its own is manageable; joining them is not.

How long does it take?

The ballad in two weeks, the whole piece in months.

A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.

Which instrument suits it?

Uses the full range – 88 keys with a carrying bass.

Instruments that suit it

Roland FP-E50 EU approx. €690–780
Portable digital piano with PHA-4 Standard action.

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-845 EU approx. €2,200–2,600
The Clavinova upper class: GrandTouch-S action with wooden keys – CFX plus Bösendorfer Imperial on board.

Kawai MP11SE EU approx. €2,200–2,350
Stage piano with Grand Feel action.

The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.

Where to find the sheet music

This piece is under copyright. Sheet music is available only from licensed publishers – free PDFs found online are usually not legal.

Modern editions and arrangements

Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.

Frequently asked questions

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