Scott Joplin - The Easy Winners

[feddera]

This was recorded last month, and I was happy with it at the time. However, I'm starting to think that my left hand is a little too loud in all my pieces, including this one. Any more suggestions on how to bring out the melody more would be helpful, and I don't know, maybe you'll even enjoy the performance if you like Scott Joplin.

[JPRitchie]

This is a nice performance of one of Joplin's early rags.  This one is marked "Not fast." But modern performances of these rags are frequently slower than quantitative markings, where Joplin noted them. In particular, the C section is slower than the earlier sections, although no tempo variation is noted in the score. The transition between the "B" and "C" sections is also just a little rough. As you remarked, the LH also seems a bit loud, especially in the initial A section. Still, the piece is played quite evenly in every section, with a nice emphasis about 8 bars into the C section. The rolled chord ending the A section repeat is not in the score. Aside from a sprinkling of wrong notes, this was a pleasure to listen to.
-Jim Ritchie
P.S. You might have a look at my CD (at: https://www.cdbaby.com/ritchie) for some Joplin material that you might find helpful.
jpr

[feddera]

Thank you for your comment! The tempo in Joplin's rags is always a topic of controversy. Not fast could mean either "slow" or "not insanely fast". Most people does not know how easy it is to play these at ridiculous speeds, so it could very well point in the direction of the latter.

You are right about the unevennes between the sections - a side effect of practising only one section at the time too much perhaps. About the rolled chord, I just thought it made the transition smoother, so I kept doing it. My signature for this piece, sort of.

I will check out your CD, it looks interesting. The only recordings of these rags I've heard are from youtube. Scott Joplin was my favorite composer for piano, before I recently got into classical music. The entertainer, Magnetic rag and Maple leaf rag are also in my reportoire, and I am recording those too when I get the time. I can upload them here if anyone wants to hear them. 

[timothy.ricther]

I thought that was great.  I really enjoy playing this type of music.  It always sets a happy mood.  Bravo!!!!

[rachfan]

Hi feddera,

You play this Joplin rag really well.  You have a wonderful rhythmic sense and fine accuracy in your articulation.  It's obvious you have quite an affinity to Joplin's music.  Nice job!

On your request for suggestions for highlighting melody versus the accompaniment:  Melody, of course, needs to be thought of as foreground, while accompaniment must normally be kept in the background.  The easiest way to accomplish this goal turns out to be counterintuitive.  Many pianists have a natural tendency to pound out the RH in order to bash the LH into submission.  That seldom works, or only momentarily at best!  As the RH volume increases, the LH tries to compete, so the result is failure--the volume of both hands rises together, still without differentiation.  The war between the hands simply escalates. 

Instead, the answer is actually the opposite.  The much more effective solution is to maintain the RH at the proper dynamic indicated on the score, but then to DIMINISH the volume of the LH accompaniment.  So, for example, if the indicated dynamic in the score is f, then play the RH accordingly while dropping the LH down to mf at most, and mp if necessary to succeed.  This is all part of "balancing the hands".  When you try this tactic even for the first time, the RH melody will suddenly soar, while the LH, like magic, is more subdued in the background--where it belongs!  And no additional strength and energy has been used in the process.  Rather it's a case where less is truly more. 

There are other complexities in etching a melody--diminishing accompaniment occurring within the RH and sharing that same hand with the melody; muting non-melodic notes on offbeats in the same register as the melody; paying attention to voice leading, etc.  But the basic method I described above in detail is first and foremost in order to attain general control over the relative volume being produced by each hand.   

Keep up the good work!

[feddera]

Thank you for your suggestions rachfan. I'll be sure to try them out!