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Saturday Sound Track—Maple Leaf Rag

I was sitting at my piano, happily plunking away at Maple Leaf Rag, trying to find the notes and doing my best to keep a steady tempo, when I thought...how selfish of me to rob the blogworld of the joy I experience while playing this thing.

So, I have recorded my to-date feeble attempts to learn this piece--the first two of three pages with no repeats, because honestly, it's just too painful to have to listen to twice. Not only do I get to share the wonder of Joplin, but this very unpleasant recording will serve as incentive to continue working and improving--not just playing.

I warn you--this is not pretty. My left arm got tired soon after the page turn, and I found myself playing faster near the end just to get it over with. I promise to record this again if I get any better at it.

Listen Here

Comments

dive said…
Oh, Robyn, that is so wonderful!
Quite apart from the fact that you play it a thousand times better than I could, the page-turning just cracked me up and the giggle is so darned cute!
When you master it completely and post the finished piece I think I'll still prefer this version.
Thank you.
8:02 AM
Isadora said…
Nice going! Congratulations. One must keep one's wits about them and turning pages to suit comfort level is certainly justified. :)
8:43 AM
Gina said…
I'm not able to listen at the moment, but I'm sure it's not even half as bad as you say!
12:08 PM
Mrs. G. said…
Nothing like a little piano music with my morning (well mid-day) coffee!
2:57 PM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
Bravo scout!!! Maybe your horn playing is a tad better but you have a music in your blood for sure.

Thanks for sharing.
8:13 PM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
Speaking of your horn playing... maybe we can get a sample of that soon -maybe a christmas tune or two?
8:14 PM
Miz Minka said…
Page turning is such a pain. :)

There were quite a few measures in a row where you really got in the groove!

Had my toes tapping, you did.
6:08 PM
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