Black Bear Rag - world premiere performance

[Music4ibc]

A very noble rag - excellent composition.

Bolcolm, Morath, Jenks ... and now: Barrett! Look forward to hearing more from you! Best "Rag"ards!

PS ... love your repeats in Efficiency Rag!

[jazzgirl1920s]

I very much enjoyed this composition of yours. If I didn't know what it was I would have thought after listening to it that it was a lost ragtime composition from "back then". You are a very good pianist too as well as a composer.

[KawhackitaRag]

Thank you!

[AAErikCO]

I quite like the composition. In the realm of contemporary ragtime it's very nice to listen to and quite flowing versus some of the dischordant and awkward compositions being touted today.

[AAErikCO]

Comments about what is "modern" or not don't really mean anything actually; back when Straight and Confrey were doin' their thing, they were called modern too :) By no means is it a cakewalk or a traditional ragtime piece (in flavor and chord qualities) like those of the big 3 but it's still delightful to listen to. I applaud your efforts and wish you continued success in your compositions.

Erik

[pianiplunker]

Your compositions are very nice. I'm always curious about how contemporary ragtime composers compose. Do you compose the piece and notate it later or do you notate it as your composing it? I've composed a few rags but notating them is extremely hard for me because I always try to notate all the performance devices like blues slurs or broken tenths etc.

[KawhackitaRag]

Thanks! Actually, I composed this at the piano before notating it, but there have been some that I compose in fragments of a few bars at a time (not necessarily in order, either) and write the fragments down, and put them together later. I was actually just sitting around the house with the title in mind and I thought up the first theme (heard it in my head), and ran over to the piano and worked it out.

I can show you how to notate performance devices. My written scores are full of them.

[pianiplunker]

Can I send you some of my rags via e-mail. I've composed dozens of blues and rags but I'm just starting to notating them now and I think I've finally got them the way I want. I mostly stick to 16 bar phrases and 4 strains but I'm fond of the barbershop chord voicing found in Chauvin's pieces and some of reginald robinson's compositions. There's also some abrupt harmonic surprises.

[KawhackitaRag]

Hi, sure, send 'em along! I'll PM you with my email so you know where to send them. Keep in mind I'll be busy at the upcoming Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival this weekend, so it may be a little while before I can get to playing through your rags.

[PismoBeach]

Pleasing - and impressive.

Maximum rating (5/5)

[ragtimemax]

Andrew, this among my favourite contemporary rags. This piece has a great blend of styles. The trio and interlude themes are the highlight for me. They seem to hark back to earlier proto-ragtime styles, but at once have fresh harmonies, blue notes, and intriguing-yet-effective chord progressions.

[KawhackitaRag]

Max, thank you so much for this comment. Coming from a great ragtime composer such as yourself, this is high praise! I'm still in the process of finishing and tidying up the score. When it is done I'll be sure to send you a copy! As to the trio, I was trying to envision a kind of pilgrim-ragtime-barn dance if that makes any sense at all, but yes of course with the modern emotional colorations added in the trio variation. Glad you like it.

[luigiranalli]

A very nice and well articulated composition! That's not what I'd call "a rag", for it's far beyond the boundaries of ragtime, like the music of William Bolcom for example. But it's very pleasing to hear and it's also masterfully played.

[KawhackitaRag]

Thank you! Once you see the score (not quite done yet) it really is a rag, just with a few more modern chords and unexpected modulations than the average rag. Note that both the A and B themes are 16 bars long (not intentionally, I assure you!). It is really the trio which is longer than 16 bars, because of the structure with the variation incorporated into it.

[KawhackitaRag]

In fact, I'm no longer sure what the boundaries of ragtime are... I've encountered many old rags with the same kinds of "modern" chords; I just arrange them in different ways. I am glad it is pleasing to hear. My first goal was that I like it, I don't make sticking to form a top priority. I find the comparison to Bolcom favorable considering the quality of his work, but I hasten to note that my primary influence (of the modern ragtime composers) is Fred Hoeptner. Anyway, I'm glad you like it.

[creamofcardstv]

great work! I quite like ragtime music.

[TheKnabe]

Gorgeous Harmonies !!!

[theragtimefan]

Very nice! Great sound!

[fuzzbear6240]

KawhackitaRag, Good Job! Excellent piece. Thanks for sharing it with us. Regards, J.

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Fine Rag. But Do Have Something A Little More Peppy? Something Like Uhhhh...The "Cheetah Rag?"

[KawhackitaRag]

I do, and I may post it as a response to another video... but give me time, I am still not able to play the fast one very well... and I want it to sound impressive. Plus I don't own a video camera yet, and have to borrow those of friends and family members. This is why it takes me so long to upload new videos.

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Oh, Well Then I'll Wait A While. Whats The Name Of That Rag You Were Talking About? No Way I Guessed That One Right.

[KawhackitaRag]

well, it's not the "Cheetah Rag", and as far as I know, that one hasn't been written yet, so you're free to write one with that title. The title of my other tune is a secret until I post it :)

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Oh Thanks, I'm Actually Writing Stuff Again, And I Hope You Get To Hear It Too (You Probably Won't, Because I'm A Better Writer Than Player) Look Out For The "Shoe-String Swing."

[GohanNr2]

Great song dude.

[KawhackitaRag]

Thanks!

[Kamibambiraptor]

Very nice! I'd perhaps play it with a little more contrast, as the mood changes often, but that's a matter of personal taste. A shame that it got cut off (bigger memory cards are a good thing ;) ). I'd be interested to see the score when it's available.

[KawhackitaRag]

I thought I was playing it with contrast, especially dynamic contrast, thought that isn't easy to hear in the video. There are a couple of rubato pauses (written in), but other than that the whole thing is supposed to be played at constant tempo.

[Kamibambiraptor]

It's probably the 'leveling effect' of the microphone which lessened the contrasts (and it was dynamic contrast I was thinking of); I've noticed that happens with some of my videos; yet another reason for me to get a better mic!

[KawhackitaRag]

Sure, I'll let you know when the score is ready.

[Keeper1st]

Great job, Andrew!

[RagtimeFreak86]

wow fantastic

sounds remarkable

[KawhackitaRag]

Thank you!

[wilscool]

When you performed this one I was not in the room (someone called me) but my mom was there and she really liked it. Can't wait until it is avalable!

[sunshinecapers]

Bravo! I personally think this is your best rag so far (Even though I really am quite jealous of "You're Too Cranky"), this piece has so much emotion in it - it also has a certain majesty to it. The sheer folksiness and pure joy of the trio folds into a more introspective passage. In my opinion, this is the finest rag written in 2007! Great Job, and keep composing! Hopefully the score for this and You're Too Cranky will be available soon..

[idasynco]

Such a folksey feel, so heartfelt! It was fantastic to see live here at the West Coast Ragtime Festival! I wish I'd captured the whole piece and I look forward to your complete posting.