Structurally, the Rag falls into the familiar AA-BB-A-CC-DD with the exception of the final section that presents new material. Harmonically it uses some of the subtle chromatic tricks of the Maple Leaf Rag that add a gentle spice to the otherwise traditional chordal patterns. This is particularly because of the bass line which acts as a counter-melody to the fast flowing tune above. In this Rag, I feel the presence of the Marching Bands more clearly than in other works by Joplin. It has been referred to an archetypal Rag meaning that it set the tone and structure for most Rags that followed.
#BLACK AND WHITE RAG PLAYER PIANO ROLL FULL#
It’s a wonderful display of how Joplin played, I would suggest, and makes full use of the colours and range of the piano. There is no introduction to the piece like The Entertainer, but an upbeat from the bass and we are plunged into the melody. This was probably the first Rag Joplin published and one that has enjoyed many years in the spotlight. Joplin himself made his living as a piano teacher and composer, dying tragically at the age of forty-eight.Įven though the Entertainer has become the winner of best-known Rag, it was The Maple Leaf Rag that assured Joplin his reputation. The light-hearted nature of the music and compelling tune has made this rag amongst the favourite of all Joplin’s oeuvre. This is not a simple piece to play as like most Rags, uses a stride, a left-hand piano technique the effectively adds both bass line and chords to the melody. The piece enjoyed a resurrection in the 1970’s when it was brilliantly used in the film titled “The Sting”. It was written around 1902 and gained steadily in popularity. This is doubtless the most famous piece of Ragtime music ever composed. The Entertainer by Scott Joplin (1868-1917)
The result, however, is a hugely popular musical form that combines a regular march-like two-beat rhythm with the subtle syncopation of early jazz. The racial division was terrifyingly evident at that time in social history and the music was viewed in a similar separatist manner. Ragtime music first emerged around the turn of the 20 th century with its foremost exponent being the pianist and composer Scott Joplin.īefore embarking on a closer look at the music it is perhaps useful to be aware that Ragtime as a musical form is a perfect blending of black jazz music with white marching band music. This article will take a quick tour through a variety of some of the most well-known ragtime tunes for piano.
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