"A Real Slow Drag" Interpretation by Tay Zonday
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This is my favorite Scott Joplin piece. It is the finale of his Opera "Treemonisha" in which the cast dances an allegory for Afro-American salvation in the hard times of aborted southern Reconstruction. It has lyrics that are led by Soprano and Alto protagonists.I corrected about a dozen of the most glaring mistakes in post-production -- this interpretation is beyond my present playing ability to get through without messing up a number of times . . . though part of that's my fault as it is significantly embellished beyond the original. A lot of mistakes are left in and the tempo is not very stable . . . so this is certainly a work in progress. Note: The keyboard graphic actually misses a few notes in faster passages (e.g. parts of the left hand from 4:05 to 4:45) . . . it was only captured at 20FPS and I think some notes ended up between frame captures. I'll need to figure out how to get it to work better. The lyrics are as follows:Treemonisha: Salute your partner. Do the drag, drag, drag.Stop and move backward. Do the drag. All of you stop. Look to your right and do the drag, drag, drag. To your left, to your left, that's the way. (Chorus)Marching onward, marching onwardMarching to that lovely tune.Marching onward, marching onward, Happy as a bird in June. Sliding onward, sliding onward, Listen to that rag. Hop. And skip. Now do that slow, do that slow drag. Dance slowly, prance slowly, While you hear that pretty rag. Dance slowly, prance slowly, Now you do the real slow drag. Walk slowly, talk slowly, Listen to that rag, Listen to that rag, Hop. And skip. Now do that slow, do that slow drag. Move along, don't stop, don't stop dancing. Drag along, doing the real slow drag. (Chorus)
Channel: Music
Uploaded: December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm
Author: TayZonday
Length: 05:03
Rating: 4.70
Views: 124472
Tags: Black Classical Dance Funny HIstory Hot Joplin Music Piano Ragtime Real Scott Sexy Song Tay Unsigned Video Voice Zonday
Video Comments
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kanalje (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
Good work! I like how you look completely at ease when playing. I also think it's cool that you rewrite scores creatively. You a clever cat.
illidnarg (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
Though I've already commented on this video i would like to add that despite a few mistakes--This i a really really beautiful rendition of a Real Slow Drag from Scott Joplin's lengendary Opera Treemonisha---Tay you're success is well deserved--and this video shows what a smart guy you are!!! Thanks again for posting this
ipninews (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
Dude, your money is showing.There is no way you are this cultured without sick money flowing through your family.I'm kinda jealous. I know how to roll a joint. I learned it from my mother.
degjr123 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
The best renditon of this music i've ever heard. I must respectfully disagree with your interpretation of Treemonisha. It was Scott Joplin'd attempt to fight ingorance - remember Zodzetric casting spells in the first act? Joplin hated non-education, and pushed all ragtime composers to learn to write music.
yooo46 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
I'm just curious: are the keys on that piano weighted?
kumsamut (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
keep it up my man, so charm
cocobaylee88 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
on your chocolate rain song you need more different lyrics
erikthecat (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
Excellent. Well done. Do you know how to hear the original choral version?
TayZonday (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
Yes.
mista123420 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)
cool how u got the piano keys on top of the video. good job! |