Ragtime Music
RAGTIME MUSIC was the predominant style of popular music in America from about 1899 to 1917. This musical style was developed by itinerant piano players in the red-light districts along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the mid-1800’s. It’s typically characterized by fast, syncopated melodies (“ragged” notes) in the right hand while the left hand provides a steady accompaniment. John has been a ragtime fan since discovering the likes of Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb in the 1970’s. He has performed at ragtime festivals across the county and has a great catalogue of original work for you to enjoy.
The Quilted Rag: This is the first rag that I composed. (I’m particularly proud of the modulation from the A theme to the B theme). It’s a lot of fun to play! GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Penelope - for Flute and Piano: Subtitled “A Grand Concert Rag”, this is a very lyrical piece which illustrates how I think ragtime can be elevated to high art music without losing its essential “ragginess”. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Play for Yourself
Ten Rag Miniatures: As a piano teacher, I wrote these miniatures because I wanted short simple pieces that would introduce my students to the ragtime style. The Ten Rag Miniatures are a graded set of pieces from beginner-level to intermediate. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Lemon Tree Rag: With this rag, I started to experiment with making changes to the classical rag form. The Lemon Tree Rag has a development section and the Trio is in a slower tempo (a technique that I use a lot). GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
The Rag Encore: I was inspired to write this when I went to a concert by the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. After a wonderful concert, he played a very light, fast and fun encore. I decided to write something similar for my own use. I usually append this to The Lemon Tree Rag or The Triumphant Rag. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Triumphant Rag: The third rag that I wrote. This is my take on the “novelty rag” style. It’s a bravura piece that’s intended to be funny. I know I’m playing it right when the audience starts laughing. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
To DC From Chicago: I was raised just outside of Chicago and I wrote this for a friend who grew up in the Washington DC area. Instead of the traditional “Trio”, I’ve written a “Duo” - a slow section with each hand playing a single line. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
Coffee and Cream: A companion piece to “To DC From Chicago”. Here the “Trio” is replaced by a slow “Quartetto”. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
The Lake Superior Rag (A Superior Stroll): Written for the Lake Superior Ragtime Society. This is probably my most challenging piece technically. It’s more of a promenade than a march. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW and VIEW ON YOUTUBE
The Locomotive Rag: A bit of “programmatic” writing. The piece incorporates a lot of train sound effects.
GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Wandering Greybeards Rag: Written for my friend Danny Matson. We seem to run into each other at Ragtime Festivals all the time and – since we both sport grey hairs and beards – the title seemed appropriate. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Riverboat - for organ: When I was in Peoria to participate in the Old-Time Piano Playing Contest, we contestants were given a ride on a Riverboat with a calliope - which we got to play. When I was invited to write a ragtime piece for pipe organ, I thought of that experience. In “The Riverboat” you’ll hear the boat whistle, an ostinato bass representing the paddlewheel turning and – of course – a calliope. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Hell’s Bells – A Devilish Rag: Ragtime on handbells? Why not! This spooky piece – suitable for Hallowe’en, includes sound effects guaranteed to make the audience jump. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
The Ragtime Belles: A chorus sings the praises of the “Ragtime Belles” while a handbell quartet performs a tour de force. GET SHEET MUSIC NOW
Macaronic Ukulele Rag: My grandfather taught me how to play the ukulele when I was a little kid and when a friend of mine took up the instrument, I wrote this song for her. It uses snatches of melody from lots of songs ranging from “Swanee River” to “The Song of the Volga Boatmen”. WATCH ON YOUTUBE