Harlem Nights - A Ragtime Two-Step

I'm not sure whether it's okay to post this...maybe a Mod can let me know?

I've written a piano "rag" inspired by a melody by Herbie Hancock from his score for the film "Harlem Nights" (1988). The tune is drawn from the first scene of the film, which is set in 1918; the A-Section of this rag is Hancock's tune arranged by myself, and the B, C and D sections are all of my own composition. I thought Hancock's Ragtime tune was so good that it deserved to be fleshed out into a full "rag" in the style and form of the period.

A little background, if you care:

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of seeing "Harlem Nights" - one of my favourite films of the 80s - again on cable. The film was written and directed by a young Eddie Murphy. Murphy also starred in it, as well as a cavalcade of other stars, including Richard Prior, Redd Foxx, Della Reese, Arsenio Hall and Danny Aiello. The film is primarily set in 1938, in the Harlem district of New York City; during the first half of the 20th Century, Harlem was the one of the most important centres of Black culture in the nation - a rare oasis where African Americans had a modicum of freedom and relative affluence. Without spoiling it too much for any who may have not seen it, the plot of the film revolves around the activities of the illicit "after hours" clubs prevalent in New York at the time, which basically evolved from the Prohibition "speakeasies" of the 1920s. The opening scene is set 20 years earlier in 1918; the background music Herbie Hancock wrote for it is a Ragtime melody that captured my imagination...and this piano "rag" was born.

Now that the piece is finished, I'm more than a little uncomfortable that the A-section is not of my own composition, even if the rest of the piece is my own...so I may yet replace it with something I wrote myself.

So, without further ado:

Harlem Nights - A Ragtime Two-Step

MP3: http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=8424374&q=hi&newref=1

PDF: attached

Harlem Nights - A Ragtime Two-Step.pdf

Very nice! :)

Fun, and evocative, and as far as I can tell, the style is pretty spot on. I could still hear your classicist sneak through at a few points though :P such as at bar 79.

Not sure how I missed this thread.. it's been sitting here for a week and no comments, but hopefully people will see it again, now that it's been bumped.

I think the piece works fine as is, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to write your own A-section, especially if you feel uncomfortable with it the way it is.

Still, good work!

Thanks! I think most people missed it because I posted it in the archives a couple of weeks ago, when there was no other choice. Maybe I should post it in the regular forum now, particularly since I've made a couple of refinements...this isn't my usual fare, so a little editing has been in order.

Fun, and evocative, and as far as I can tell, the style is pretty spot on.

I'm glad that comes through. I've played and listened to enough Ragtime in my day, and I revere Joplin sufficiently that I was hoping I could do the style justice. I've long admired the elegance of Joplin's syncopations, and while I tried not to mimic him, I did try to make the syncopations seem natural.

I could still hear your classicist sneak through at a few points though :P such as at bar 79.

This doesn't surprise me. No matter what I do, I'll always be me. :D

This is a very nice rag! The A strain bring to mind the A strain of a rag that Randy Newman wrote for the film "Ragtime." This piece shows a great understanding of typical ragtime harmonies and melodic conventions; it has great material, polish and structure. As for advice, I offer my humble suggestions: Try to include more varied textures in your writing. Your RH is mostly written in "filled-in" octave lines, which are a strong texture, but best used sparingly for dramatic effect. With the left hand, you have mostly written int he usual "octave-chord octave-chord" style - which is effective - but you can also feel free to experiment; contrapuntal or chordal lines, fast octave sections, walking 6ths, or melodic bass lines are all figures that can spice up a rag.

But all that aside, this is a fine piece regardless, and especially considering it is your first rag! Bravo.

Best RAGards,

Max.

As for advice, I offer my humble suggestions: Try to include more varied textures in your writing. Your RH is mostly written in "filled-in" octave lines, which are a strong texture, but best used sparingly for dramatic effect.

As I was listening to this after finishing it, I wondered about this very issue. Might have to thin out the right hand here and there...just have to figure out how I'd want to go about it.

With the left hand, you have mostly written int he usual "octave-chord octave-chord" style - which is effective - but you can also feel free to experiment; contrapuntal or chordal lines, fast octave sections, walking 6ths, or melodic bass lines are all figures that can spice up a rag.

Ah...good point. OK, I'll consider that too! :D

The problem with me is that I'm not a tremendous pianist...I'm proficient, and a decent overall musician, but I actually can't play this piece at the piano without fumbling, and it isn't that hard. Hence, most of what I write for piano starts out as an idea in my head without practical application. Maybe it's time to hit the Czerny again and get my chops up.

Thanks very much!

I like the sadness of the piece, it evokes the pianist playing when the party is over and the people left... and a new working day will start soon.

I like the playing also, you make many efforts to "explain" passages - and this is done with touch and without much dynamics, as it should be. I wonder what would be the sound of the piece on a true piano player.