Kansas City Rag Cover Image

Kansas City Rag: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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Kansas City Rag Cover Image
Kansas City Rag: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

Kansas City Rag: Piano Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Sheet

By Ernest J. Kramer

Level: Late Intermediate

Item: 00-19745
$3.50
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Description
Ragtime is a perfect style for exciting duets, and this Scott Joplin-like piece is a fine example in that configuration. In this joyful, bouncy song, both performers are given sections in which to "shine" in an easy-to-read layout, loaded with traditional syncopation and using the full range of the keyboard. This rag will make a crowd-pleasing concert piece as well as a great chance for students to explore the world of ragtime rhythm and styling as they prepare for more difficult solo work.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
ISBN10: 0-7390-1305-X
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-1305-2
UPC: 038081186054
SKU: 00-19745

More about this title

About the Composer: Ernest Kramer

Ernest Kramer

Ernest Kramer holds a PhD in Music Theory from the University of North Texas, along with advanced degrees in piano performance from both Peabody-Vanderbilt and Drake University. His training also includes study at the Vienna Conservatory, grounding his work in classical tradition.

Since 1985, Kramer has been a tenured professor at Northwest Missouri State University, where he teaches advanced theory, composition, arranging, and form analysis. As a composer, his works span multiple genres and have been published by major houses including Hal Leonard, Alfred, and Willis Music. His performances on piano, harpsichord, and organ have taken him across the United States and Europe. He maintains active scholarly interests in composers from Mozart through Britten, with research supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Why we love this

Kramer captures the infectious energy of ragtime while giving both players genuinely interesting material. The score respects the duet format by creating natural moments for each performer to drive the musical narrative, avoiding the common trap of one hand simply accompanying the other. Students work through authentic syncopation patterns without drowning in difficulty.

What to expect

Playful and propulsive, with the kind of rhythmic bounce that makes audiences smile immediately. The full keyboard span creates a rich, complete sound despite being just two players at one instrument, and the traditional ragtime syncopation keeps both hands engaged throughout.

Who it's for

Late intermediate pianists ready to explore ragtime as a style while building duet reading skills. It works equally well for two advancing students or for a teacher-student pairing that wants to experience the fun of shared keyboard performance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the pulse clearly in the opening measures so both players lock into the characteristic ragtime lilt without rushing the syncopated figures.
  • Balance the primo and secondo parts dynamically; when one player has the melodic line, the other's accompaniment should anchor rather than compete.
  • Shape the syncopations with slight articulation to keep the rhythm crisp and the piece bouncing rather than sluggish.
  • Take advantage of the full keyboard range by avoiding a timid approach to the lower registers where the bass line sits.

How to use it

Pair this with other ragtime works to build a thematic concert segment that celebrates American popular music traditions. It also serves as an excellent stepping stone for students who will eventually tackle Joplin's solo rags, offering them a lower-pressure entry into the style's technical and stylistic demands.

Skills your students will build

  • Ragtime syncopation and rhythmic phrasing
  • Reading and executing parts in a duet setting
  • Balancing melody and accompaniment between two players
  • Keyboard navigation across multiple octaves and registers
  • Period-appropriate articulation and swing feel

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