Purchasing information Notice for leaders/bass players
Length: approx. 3¼ mins.
It begs to be said that Scott with this piece has in all modesty composed an essentially delicate classic rag in AABBACCA form which contrasts with so many of his earlier more rousing numbers. One of the final "classic" rags to be published,
Modesty Rag represents the die-hard publisher John Stark's adamant stand against the music trends of the day and ragtime's decline in favour of the incoming blues and jazz fashions. The cover of the original sheet music also reflects the rag's title and mood showing a demure maiden in silhouette clad in a modest, classic evening dress.
The descant has a few high E's to master - if this should be too "squeaky" or difficult then perhaps a 7th player may be found to double with a sopranino/descant in bars 12 and 44 and while he or she is at it perhaps also a bass for bars 51, 59 and 83. This is right over the top with regards to purist perfection!
Modesty Rag was published by
Stark Music Co, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
A tempo of 72 crotchets/min. is suggested.
There is also a
quartet version of this item.
