On The Pike by James Scott

A rag full of bursting energy! “On the Pike” (1904) was James Scott’s third rag and is a very playful and lighthearted piece. The first two pieces James composed have some audible Joplin influence, but this rag here sounds "fresh" with James's composing style beginning to emerge. The sheet music notates a dedication of the rag to the 1904 Louisiana Pike fair. James really did capture the sound of a fair as this rag makes me feel as if I was enjoying a summer's day in the early 1900’s at an amusement park or local fair, smiling and having a great time without a care in the world. You can see how much I enjoyed playing this rag 😄 I think I sped up my tempo towards the end as I got carried away with the joy this rag gave me 😆 The slight tempo increase kind of "fits" at it builds the rag for an energetic finish. #ragtime #ragtimepiano #piano #pianomusic #pianocover #jamesscott #pianoragtime