"Enigmatic Slow-Drag" - Ragtime Two-Step for Piano (2020)

I don't always write in Classical style, and this Piano rag is proof.  My friend Bernie Siben told me he very much enjoyed William Bolcom's "Ghost Rags," especially his "Graceful Ghost," as have I, so I thought I'd write my own somewhat creepy, mysterious ragtime piece, and this was the result, hence its name.  It's challenging to be sure, but I have it on good authority from two virtuoso pianists that it's doable.  I hope you enjoy!  

"Enigmatic Slow-Drag" - Ragtime Two-Step for Piano (2020).

To my friend Bernie Siben, with gratitude for his kindness and support.

- Composed August 17 – 23, 2020 at Austin.

- Style: American Ragtime, ca. 1910-1915.

- Duration: 05:32

- Electronic Rendering by Finale 26 music notation software’s "Human Playback" with NotePerformer 3 artificial intelligence assisted interpretation.

What a completely different stylistic change compared to your Symphony 9! I have to say, ragtime music was how I got started with the piano, so this type of music has a special place in my heart.  The beginning of your piece is really cryptic and dissonant. I love it! About 3 minutes in, this is when I started to get Scott Joplin vibes, more specifically with the Magnetic Rag. And the clear winner of this piece is your ending which I'm not even sure how to express my feelings around it. Perhaps I can describe your ending as an anticipatory ending. It's really a great way to come to a conclusion.

For example, at 5:17, that could have been a conclusion right there. And then again at 5:22, that could have been the conclusion. But you string the listener along, and actually conclude it at 5:28, which is a really sneaky way of drawing the listener in, in my opinion at least.

BTW, I'm going to see how my next video does around "transforming a midi file into a performance". Basically the idea is to take a midi file without performance data, and make it sound more like a performance. If this video resonates with my audience, I would actually love to use this piece as my next example. Especially because you have performance data. It would be a challenge for me, but I think I can make your piece sound more like a performance, despite Finale's human playback + NotePerformer.

If you are up for it, let me know as I would need your midi file.

Love the piece! And you'd potentially be the star in one of my future playback series videos!

Hi @J. Lee Graham,

I don't have much exposure on ragtime music, but since this is in C# minor I must have a say on it!!! It's interesting that even though this is suppose to be less classical style, your use of counterpoint and harmony is fascinating. It does have a creepy feeling with all those chromatic counterpoint. This is funny to listen to.

Thanks for sharing!

P.s.

6 hours ago, chopin said:

I have to say, ragtime music was how I got started with the piano, so this type of music has a special place in my heart. 

I originally think you are a romantic specialist with your ballades Mike!

Henry

@chopin  Thanks for giving this a look/listen!  I'm really excited that you're so jazzed about it!  

17 hours ago, chopin said:

What a completely different stylistic change compared to your Symphony 9! I have to say, ragtime music was how I got started with the piano, so this type of music has a special place in my heart. 

I didn't know this about you!  I just always assumed Chopin was your first love.  

17 hours ago, chopin said:

The beginning of your piece is really cryptic and dissonant. I love it! About 3 minutes in, this is when I started to get Scott Joplin vibes, more specifically with the Magnetic Rag.

Yup, once the key changed in the Trio to the relative major, and later to the enharmonic major, I couldn't possibly keep Joplin's influence from sneaking in.  No Bolcom here!  Interesting you mention the Magnetic Rag - it's one of my favourites, and the only Joplin rag I can play; it's significantly easier than many of the others (probably because by 1914 when it was written, Jopliln was suffering terribly from tertiary syphilis, which interfered seriously with his playing ability).  Anyway, I'm gratified you sensed The Master looking over my shoulder. 

17 hours ago, chopin said:

And the clear winner of this piece is your ending which I'm not even sure how to express my feelings around it. Perhaps I can describe your ending as an anticipatory ending. It's really a great way to come to a conclusion.

For example, at 5:17, that could have been a conclusion right there. And then again at 5:22, that could have been the conclusion. But you string the listener along, and actually conclude it at 5:28, which is a really sneaky way of drawing the listener in, in my opinion at least.

Ah, the ending - my favourite part of the piece.  I wish I could say I had any ulterior motives of captivating the audience, but I just couldn't seem to let it go where it may have seemed to "want" to, as you pointed out.  It was a pure stroke of inspiration, from the chromatic descent at measures 97 and 98, to the purposely muddy penultimate measure, to the last, where it all grinds to a satisfying halt; all this is a convenient four measure phrase, making it all the more rounded off.  

17 hours ago, chopin said:

BTW, I'm going to see how my next video does around "transforming a midi file into a performance". Basically the idea is to take a midi file without performance data, and make it sound more like a performance. If this video resonates with my audience, I would actually love to use this piece as my next example. Especially because you have performance data. It would be a challenge for me, but I think I can make your piece sound more like a performance, despite Finale's human playback + NotePerformer.

If you are up for it, let me know as I would need your midi file.

I'd be honoured!  Just let me know when you're ready, and I'll get you a MIDI.  

Thanks again, and I'm so glad you enjoyed this!  

@Henry Ng Tsz Kiu  Thanks for listening, especially since you don't have much exposure to Ragtime!  

10 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

It's interesting that even though this is suppose to be less classical style, your use of counterpoint and harmony is fascinating. It does have a creepy feeling with all those chromatic counterpoint.

I suppose there will almost always be Classical elements in nearly everything I do.  I'm so steeped in it, how could it not?  I'm glad the creepy feeling came through - the chromaticism is actually somewhat unusual for Ragtime, but it well expresses the mystery I was trying to portray.  

10 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

This is funny to listen to.

I wouldn't have expected this reaction, but I'm glad it amused you!  Thanks again!  

RAGTIME!

Your writing amazes me, it makes me feel like a noob. It's interesting to hear your take on the style coming from your classical-drenched style. Phrasing, counterpoint, harmony, form, it's all wonderful to my ears. 

I also really like your twist of making ragtime mysterious or creepy, as you say. I think you pulled this off well. I wish I had something to offer for feedback, but as you're an experienced composer who has found his niche and style of composition in this world, I'm not surprised I don't have anything critical to say. 

However, I will say that note performer's piano is very "wet" sounding. I use it too (but with Sibelius), and I have yet to tinker with it to know if you can make mixing adjustments adequate for a more realistic performance. I normally import midi files into a DAW and use other piano samples for my music, and your music is too good to not do the same. Do you have any experience with a DAW? Sure, if you get a performance then who cares about that. But it might be worth your time to check into it if you're interested. 

I rummaged around on your YT page, you have quite the catalog of fine works. I'm just really impressed with your music, and am very happy you decided to grace the forums once again with your activity. Stick around! We need more outstanding composers such as yourself around here (I've been around off and on for a long time as well, and it seems like the drama/toxicity that once plagued this place is a thing of the past lol, if that was your reason for leaving as it was mine 😄 ).

Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to look out for more posts from you. 

Great job!  It's very chromatic, winding, and enigmatic - as you intended!  I do feel like it could have been more tuneful, but I guess many rag-melodies fall into the category of being quite pianistic and fun to play but not particularly memorable nor whistle-able nor singable, but that's what gives them the quality or charm of being like saloon or cocktail music.  I love the different harmonic areas you visited along the way and also that you successfully compose melodies which don't stereotypically start on the tonic.  Thanks for sharing!

@Thatguy v2.0 OMG, how did I manage to miss your comment!?  

On 5/26/2023 at 4:18 PM, Thatguy v2.0 said:

Your writing amazes me, it makes me feel like a noob. It's interesting to hear your take on the style coming from your classical-drenched style. Phrasing, counterpoint, harmony, form, it's all wonderful to my ears. 

I also really like your twist of making ragtime mysterious or creepy, as you say. I think you pulled this off well. I wish I had something to offer for feedback, but as you're an experienced composer who has found his niche and style of composition in this world, I'm not surprised I don't have anything critical to say. 

Thanks for your kind words.  I'm very gratified.  I'm also very glad that the mysterious element came off well.  

On 5/26/2023 at 4:18 PM, Thatguy v2.0 said:

However, I will say that note performer's piano is very "wet" sounding. I use it too (but with Sibelius), and I have yet to tinker with it to know if you can make mixing adjustments adequate for a more realistic performance. I normally import midi files into a DAW and use other piano samples for my music, and your music is too good to not do the same. Do you have any experience with a DAW? Sure, if you get a performance then who cares about that. But it might be worth your time to check into it if you're interested. 

I'm not quite as happy with NP's piano sound as I am with their other instruments, but it sure beats Garritan and MIDI.  I'll have to lookin into DAW.  

On 5/26/2023 at 4:18 PM, Thatguy v2.0 said:

I rummaged around on your YT page, you have quite the catalog of fine works. I'm just really impressed with your music, and am very happy you decided to grace the forums once again with your activity. Stick around! We need more outstanding composers such as yourself around here (I've been around off and on for a long time as well, and it seems like the drama/toxicity that once plagued this place is a thing of the past lol, if that was your reason for leaving as it was mine 😄 ).

Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to look out for more posts from you. 

I'm flattered that you looked around at my YT page - there is surely a ton of stuff over there now!  Sticking around is the idea, though I have a new job that is keeping me crazy busy, which is why I haven't been around as much as I'd like.  I'll keep trying.  I'm working on my 10th Symphony at the moment, when I can squeeze out a little time and energy.  Thanks again!  Oh, and I LOVE your new signature!  It's like a Grindr profile!  Hahahaha!  

@PeterthePapercomPoser  Thanks so much for taking a few minutes out of your day to listen and comment!  

17 hours ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Great job!  It's very chromatic, winding, and enigmatic - as you intended!  I do feel like it could have been more tuneful, but I guess many rag-melodies fall into the category of being quite pianistic and fun to play but not particularly memorable nor whistle-able nor singable, but that's what gives them the quality or charm of being like saloon or cocktail music.  I love the different harmonic areas you visited along the way and also that you successfully compose melodies which don't stereotypically start on the tonic.  Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad the effect worked according to my intentions!  I'm disappointed that you didn't find it particularly tuneful (in the best sense), but I know what you mean about ragtime melodies being more pianistic than singable.  I suppose the best a lot of them can hope for is that they're catchy.  Ragtime is primarily dance music, though it was surely used as parlour and saloon music.  I'm gratified that you liked the harmonic movement of the piece as well.  Thanks again for your time and kind words.    

I think this is excellent. Sometime about ragtime, to me, is that it has both an "old-fashioned" feel to it, and yet a timeless quality to it. This isn't just charming, it's so tightly written I don't think a mosquito could squeeze through. Personally, I disagree with the "not so tuneful" criticism, I think this piece generally has great melodic contour throughout the whole piece, with some stand out moments (bars 11 - 15 really stood out to me, for example). The dense chromatic harmony might be a bit jarring for some, particularly people who are not musicians, but I think a charismatic performer could easily win an audience over.

This one's a winner. Thanks for sharing!

@SergeOfArniVillage  Thanks very much for your generous compliments!  

14 hours ago, SergeOfArniVillage said:

This isn't just charming, it's so tightly written I don't think a mosquito could squeeze through.

I find that the Ragtime form assists with making the product pretty tight.  It's actually a lot like writing a Menuetto, only even more strict.  

14 hours ago, SergeOfArniVillage said:

Personally, I disagree with the "not so tuneful" criticism, I think this piece generally has great melodic contour throughout the whole piece, with some stand out moments (bars 11 - 15 really stood out to me, for example).

Ah, well I'm glad you think so.  I've always found Ragtime wonderfully tuneful in its way.  Thanks again for your kind review!