In the case of the forward rag roll rhythm, the octaves played as quarter notes on beat one, followed by a series of 8th notes from beats 2 through the measure. Therefore, whenever we punch those octaves on the “ands” between our primary beats, we get a very cool syncopated sound that is highly characteristic of ragtime. What is syncopation? Syncopation is where you accent notes in between the beats. Third: the rag roll follows a very specific, rhythmic pattern using “syncopation”.Second: the outer notes are almost always played in octaves.First: the chord is generally arpeggiated from the bottom up.There are 3 important Rag Roll Rules that you should generally follow when using rag rolls: Now, in order to transform this chord into a rag roll, we break up, or arpeggiate the chord. Notice that we are playing a big, 4-note C Major in our right hand, with the notes from the bottom C E G and C.
Here is how to play a forward rag roll on a C Major chord: Forward Rag Roll Ragtime Piano on a C Major Chord The forward rag roll is arguably the most common rag roll in ragtime piano, and it was a favorite for Scott Joplin. So, now that you know what a rag roll is, it’s time to learn your first and most important rag roll, the Forward rag roll. Specifically, you need to know rag rolls.Ī rag roll is a repeated pattern in the right hand where the melody is played in octaves with the pinkie and thumb, and 2 chord tones are added in between. You see, the secret to learn to play ragtime piano is to understand the tools that ragtime pianists use to play ragtime.
Now, everything you will learn in this lesson is inside the lesson video on this page, and if you want to checkout the full 4-hour Johnny Hodges Interview and Lesson, you can right here. I share this with you because Johnny Hodges method works – not only did I use it to land the Disneyland job, but I’ve also taught it to hundreds of students and seen them go on to play ragtime piano professionally. Later, I landed the job as the Disneyland Ragtime Pianist, where I entertained guests for 9 years. There is no greater expert on ragtime than Johnny Hodges – he played ragtime piano at Disneyland for over 25 years as the Disneyland Main Street Ragtime Pianist, and he taught his methods to hundreds of students, including me. Amen.Get ready to learn to play ragtime piano with the former Disneyland Main Street Ragtime Pianist, Johnny Hodges!Īll of this will help you transform any song into ragtime. Prayer: Good and gracious Father, whose presence is evident in the bright sunlight, the gentle breeze, birds in trees, and dewdrops hanging from leaves, grant that Your light will shine through our actions when offering comfort and peace to those who do not know You.
We believe that, though our physical presence dies and returns to dust, the essence of what makes us who we are, never dies, it merely changes - as surely as a beautiful jar, shattered to pieces of pottery, takes on a new form when molded into something as solid as stepping stones lovingly placed in a special garden.
People's perceptions of what happens and what we do when we get to where we're going are wide and varied.Īs Christians, we believe that we will see Christ, our foundation that we will be reunited with our loved ones and that we will have everlasting life. Some say that there are other worlds in which to sing or play. Perhaps not perhaps the "pianos" are different where they are. "Face it, Mary," she said, "Our mums just aren't up there having a wonderful time playing Alexander's Ragtime Band!" She told me how very much she missed her mum, and that she had come to the conclusion that this is all there is. Such was the case awhile back, upon hearing of her mother's passing. Every four or five years I track her down, just to keep in touch. My residences have spanned but two provinces. She has travelled and lived all over the world. We've lived our lives along much different paths. Our piano-playing mothers sometimes spelled each other off in their little community band, augmented by saxophone, drums, guitar, and accordion. We have known each other since early childhood, she and I. (KJV)ġ Corinthians 15:51 – Behold, I show you a mystery We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. Acts 17:28,32 – For in him we live, and move, and have our being as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.