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The short answer
The Strenuous Life is a rag by Scott Joplin from the Ragtime era.
- rag
- Ragtime
- octaves
- voicing
History
The Strenuous Life was published in 1902 and dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt. Its subtitle calls it a ragtime two-step.
Sources
What to listen for
An upper octave statement gives way to a short descending figure before the lower part joins. In the next window, a held inner pitch can continue while another upper pitch changes above it. Listen for that layered sound rather than treating every upper attack as a single block.
How to practise it
- At quarter position 8, hold upper pitch 64 for its full quarter while pitch 67 changes after half a quarter. Practise the two upper durations separately, then combine them over the lower pattern.
- Keep the opening upper octave descent light and coordinated. Practise the initial repeated octave and the following short notes without locking the wrist.
About this piece
- Collection
- The ragtime corner
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
