Joplin S. | The Easy Winners arr. clarinet in B Flat & piano
Channel: PlentyMusic
Date: 2020-07-29

#TheEasyWinners is an intermediate level #ragtime ensemble movement in the form of the American #march. Much of composer’s music had its origins as #piano music although it is excellent material to arrange for many instruments. Free #sheetmusic: https://plentymusic.uk/short/?c=r9yd8yP To access this and other free #sheetmusic scores create a PlentyMusic account. Improve #musicpractice routines using PlentyMusic sheet music and accompaniment downloads.

This is an excellent ensemble piece suited to being played by a number of different instrument ensembles. In this arrangement for clarinet in Bb with piano accompaniment the sounding key is Ab. The realisation plays back tempo at a tempo of 72 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute and the repeats are also played. The formal pattern of Joplin’s ragtime pieces generally have the structure of the American March which can be represented by the letters AA BB AA CC DD. In addition, there can be an introduction and a link as is the case in this score. Piano accompaniments are available from the PlentyMusic as mp3 files and these can be downloaded from the website. They play at the following tempi (1) 68 (2) 72 (3) 76 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute. 

Ragtime music is one of the first forms of American popular music and has its origins at the end of the 19th century. It should not be played too quickly and for those wishing to know more Scott Joplin’s original piano rolls which are available for listening give an excellent insight into how his music should be played. The ragtime style features syncopated rhythms, octave playing and vamped chords in the left hand piano accompaniments and many of these elements were incorporated into the succeeding jazz and novelty piano era. For those exploring the ragtime style there is much subtlety about the style to be discovered and explored.

Scott Joplin’s music enjoyed a revival after being rediscovered in the early 1970’s. The tragedy is that the composer was not more appreciated and valued in his own lifetime. He was one of the first black musicians be able to read and write music that explored the popular style.  

There are several of Scott Joplin pieces and arrangements to be found on the PlentyMusic website. There is also music by Ernesto Nazareth exploring  the ragtime element in a Brazilian context.