Mr. Rag

Here is another Joplin inspired rag from my pen!

You've certainly achieved rhythmic authenticity, but I'm not too sure about the harmony. The contrary motion chords you use in bar 13 remind me more of standard dissonant 20th century harmony than stock rag harmony. Bar 31 is also like this, as well as a few bars after this. Maybe this is a desired effect you are trying to achieve (after all, you said Joplin inspired), but it's not as "raggy" as it could be. It also lacks strong themes. Of course, now you'll probably tell me you wrote this using some strict rag compositional guidance method, but that's just my impression.

Very well written nonetheless, with lashings of syncopation and repeats to give the listener a chance to appreciate the melodies more. Nice.

Uh...there are other ragtime composers. If you're wanting to compose ragtime, you'll probably need to listen to more than just Joplin.

To Mike: Yes! That is what I was going for! Raggy rhythms and form, and not-so-raggy harmonies! I presented that idea in the Same Old Rag thread. I wanted to give the standard rag sound more interesting harmonies, and some wiggy ones as well.

To Central: Who said I only listened to Joplin? I don't remember saying this. How about you comment on my pieces instead of assuming things and suggesting that I don't take my music seriously. And yes, I've listened to plenty of ragtime composers other than Joplin. I have an affinity for Joseph Lamb and, for the rags more of my style, William Bolcom. Have you even heard William Bolcoms rags? If you haven't, then please don't post in this thread anymore. Those rags are what chiefly inspired me. I only used Joplin's name because he was my first musical experiences on the piano, and inspired me to start composing. That's a pretty big deal, so I didn't feel it neccessary to talk about other composers.

Sorry I ranted. ;) Any more comments?

A Joplin fan, eh? Nice, Joplin is how I started to learn to compose as well, before I even discovered Chopin. In fact, a good deal of my experiemental compositions are Joplin inspired :)

Fun piece to listen to, and I have to say, pretty creative, doesn't sound like a traditional Joplin piece to me.

Uh...there are other ragtime composers. If you're wanting to compose ragtime, you'll probably need to listen to more than just Joplin.

Why? It doesn't even sound like Joplin. I'd be afraid to post my earlier ragtime music with this mentality, since my pieces follow Joplin's style exactly, in most cases ;)

I agree with you, Nickthoven. I am wrong and certainly worthy of your criticism. I have such a past history of being wrong that I've learned to not argue and just give up.

But, moving on, it is my opinion and not a fact that the rhythm of the intro does not particularly match the rhythm of theme A. It confuses the listener. If this was your intention, however, I apologize for being mistaken.

An additional thought, and one that is purely optional, is that the rag does not end with the stereotypical (and I'm not sure if this is technically correct) downward arpeggiated power chord. This would be, in your case, Bb, F, Bb. However, it is your choice as the composer to neglect this element, and I won't sit here and tell you that it is a necessary staple of a ragtime ending. It is simply a more commonly occurring element that, in a way, adds an authenticity to the overall composition.

Thanks Chopin! Ah how ragtime has influenced the world! haha right now I hear people in the lounge on my floor practicing sight-reading exercises, one of which is Joplin's 'Easy Winners'.

To Central: I never said that the intro rhythm had to match the theme rhythm, and I don't think it's confusing. I wanted to sort of have the same idea and then break away with a melody that more carried over the barline, to create a longer phrase.

I'm glad the rag doesn't end like all the others! I'm not too particularly fond of ending a piece exactly the way all the others in that style end. And I'm perfectly aware of how a typical rag ends. :thumbsup:

(just to make clear, my knowledge on rags is almost nada, zilch, zero)

I felt something was missing. I feel that it develops too blandly.hmmmmmmm........