Jazzy Maple Leaf Rag

[NightwishFan]

I am a casual piano player in my spare time, and I started on Ragtime. These last few weeks I have been working on the Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin.

I am playing it more 'Jelly Roll' style, based off the works of the famous piano player. I am wondering if anyone likes my work, and they can share their own if they like, it does not have to be ragtime.

I recorded using Gnome Sound Recorder. The clicking artifacts are actually due to my keyboard (synth not text :D), which is wearing down finally. Please tell me what I can improve. Enjoy!

Link:

http://uraharakisuke153.googlepages.com/maple2.ogg

[iheartubuntu]

BRAVO! That was excellent! A great musical genre that really puts the piano to work.

Im actually looking for some linux software that would help teach me the piano. Nothing yet. I'll look for some Windows software that maybe I can run in Wine or in VB if i have to. Would love to relearn and get good at the piano like you!

[NightwishFan]

Thank you for the reply. I was trying to start a discussion with some fellow musicians, but I guess I should have made some discussion points. Well no matter..

If you want to get started at piano, I would advise you buy a decent keyboard (piano) with some songs already on it. Perhaps even get one that has lighted keys.

Start out learning classical songs, especially the Fur Elise by Beethoven. That song has an easy two handed beginning that teaches you how to play asymmetrically.

[JDShu]

Nicely done! Where did you get the score for this? I'm interested in learning this now :P

Hmm pointers... a musical forum might be more useful and I do not claim to be a music specialist, but comparing it to Scott Joplin's performance, the tempo changes (rallentendos) seem to be a bit sudden.. you slow down to quickly and too much. Also, Scott Joplin seems to put more emphasis on the right hand melody (its louder), I'm not sure if you're playing on piano or keyboard, but if possible, try to keep your chords on the left hand from being too loud.

Again, I'm not a musical specialist by any means so your choice whether to take my advice or not :D I'm more familiar with classical music.

[NightwishFan]

I can play the Maple Leaf Rag more correctly. The true style of Ragtime is actually slower and much more rhythmic. Thanks for the advice. As for the score, I actually performed this locally. I recorded it using Ubuntu even. It is roughly based on Jelly Roll Morton playing the Maple Leaf Rag, which I transposed and adapted by ear. So no exact score available. I have a lot of fun covering classics, and I try not to break them up too much. Thanks for the post.

[NightwishFan]

I apologize to double post in my own thread. I was just going to add for the above posters if they are interested in the music I composed myself, I will link to it. Try not to download more than once please.

This track I play fairly poorly because I kept getting distracted by a friend of mine, but the sound came out ok. Also I have improved this song much since then, I have even written guitar parts. When I get my keyboard repaired, ill post the fourth demo. Also in case this is relevant, the music is not CC, but you can download the demo and listen.

http://uraharakisuke153.googlepages.com/demo3.ogg

[iheartubuntu]

Thank you for the reply. I was trying to start a discussion with some fellow musicians, but I guess I should have made some discussion points. Well no matter..

If you want to get started at piano, I would advise you buy a decent keyboard (piano) with some songs already on it. Perhaps even get one that has lighted keys.

Start out learning classical songs, especially the Fur Elise by Beethoven. That song has an easy two handed beginning that teaches you how to play asymmetrically.

Thanks for the tips. I ended up buying the Learn & Master Piano DVDs, so Im excited to get them soon. I already do have a keyboard I bought many years ago. Its a pretty good one and can hook up to a computer if I want in the future. Has weighted keys, etc. Just never figured it out!

In the repositories I found "Gtick" a metronome program. Any other helpful programs out there for Ubuntu?

[JDShu]

I can play the Maple Leaf Rag more correctly. The true style of Ragtime is actually slower and much more rhythmic. Thanks for the advice. As for the score, I actually performed this locally. I recorded it using Ubuntu even. It is roughly based on Jelly Roll Morton playing the Maple Leaf Rag, which I transposed and adapted by ear. So no exact score available. I have a lot of fun covering classics, and I try not to break them up too much. Thanks for the post.

Ahhh, you are one of the musically talented then :P very impressive!