Weeping Willow (rag)
Encyclopedia
"Weeping Willow" is a 1903 classic piano ragtime
composition by Scott Joplin
.
One of Joplin's simpler and less famous ragtime
scores, written during a transitional period in Joplin's life. This was one of the few pieces that Joplin cut as a piano roll in a 1916 session.
popular until about 1911, and a common style among rags written at the time.
Its structure is: Intro A A B B A C C D D
It is in the key of G major
very lofty and highly melodic. The "B" section makes good use of alternating patterns creating interesting melodic shifts. The Trio ("C" section) is in the key of C major
; its chord progression was popular in black folk songs, and was used in Eddie Miller's
Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do. The D section emphasizes another fine melody, and accentuates the variety found between sections.
over the publication of The Ragtime Dance
created a level of animosity between composer and publisher. Weeping Willow became the second of many pieces published by a firm other than Stark's since Maple Leaf Rag
.
The copyright was registered June 6, 1903, and sheet music was published by the Val A. Reis Music Company of St. Louis
. The piece was also released on Connorized piano rolls.
Classic Rag
Classic Rag is a term used to describe the style of ragtime composition pioneered by Scott Joplin and the Missouri school of ragtime composers...
composition by Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
.
One of Joplin's simpler and less famous ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
scores, written during a transitional period in Joplin's life. This was one of the few pieces that Joplin cut as a piano roll in a 1916 session.
Music
"Weeping Willow" is sub-titled "A rag time two step", which was a form of danceDance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
popular until about 1911, and a common style among rags written at the time.
Its structure is: Intro A A B B A C C D D
It is in the key of G major
G major
G major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
very lofty and highly melodic. The "B" section makes good use of alternating patterns creating interesting melodic shifts. The Trio ("C" section) is in the key of C major
C major
C major is a musical major scale based on C, with pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats/sharps.Its relative minor is A minor, and its parallel minor is C minor....
; its chord progression was popular in black folk songs, and was used in Eddie Miller's
Eddie Miller (songwriter)
Edward Monroe "Eddie" Miller was an American songwriter, in the country music genre.He was born in Camargo, Oklahoma and worked as a locomotive engineer before becoming a songwriter...
Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do. The D section emphasizes another fine melody, and accentuates the variety found between sections.
Publication history
Joplin's recent scuffle with StarkJohn Stillwell Stark
John Stillwell Stark was a United States publisher of ragtime music. He is best known for publishing and promoting the music of Scott Joplin....
over the publication of The Ragtime Dance
The Ragtime Dance
"The Ragtime Dance" is a piece of ragtime music by Scott Joplin, first published in 1902.-Publication history:Although the piece was performed in Sedalia, Missouri on November 24, 1899, it wasn't published until 1902. John Stillwell Stark had announced the publication of "The Ragtime Dance" in...
created a level of animosity between composer and publisher. Weeping Willow became the second of many pieces published by a firm other than Stark's since Maple Leaf Rag
Maple Leaf Rag
The "Maple Leaf Rag" is an early ragtime musical composition for piano composed by Scott Joplin. It was one of Joplin's early works, and is one of the most famous of all ragtime pieces, and became the model for ragtime compositions by subsequent composers. As a result Joplin was called the "King...
.
The copyright was registered June 6, 1903, and sheet music was published by the Val A. Reis Music Company of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. The piece was also released on Connorized piano rolls.
External links
- "Perfessor" Bill Edwards plays Joplin, with anecdotes and research.
- MIDI format
- sheet music