Rag-Time Dance: 2 Flutes & Keyboard Part(s)

Marlatt's arrangement opens up Joplin's celebrated rag to flute players while preserving the original piano part, creating a genuine duet rather than a simple melody-plus-accompaniment. The interplay between flutes and piano, complete with newly composed counter melodies that match Joplin's style, teaches young musicians how to balance independence and collaboration within a single musical texture.

Buoyant and rhythmically infectious, with flutes dancing over a swinging piano accompaniment. The piece has genuine sparkle without demanding virtuosity, inviting players to discover the joy of lively musical conversation.

Intermediate flute players working as a pair, or a flute section ready to tackle ensemble coordination. This arrangement welcomes musicians who want to explore American concert music beyond standard classical repertoire while developing collaborative skills.

• Keep the eighth-note patterns crisp and even in both flute lines; ragtime's infectious quality depends on precise rhythmic clarity rather than rubato or space between the notes.
• Listen to Joplin's original recorded performances or period recordings to absorb the specific swagger and syncopation that define ragtime articulation, then apply that feel to your flute playing.
• Coordinate closely with the pianist during the transition moments when melodic leadership shifts; these handoffs should feel seamless, not like a baton pass.

Perfect for a chamber music concert that celebrates American composers or celebrates musical traditions beyond European classical forms. The piece works equally well in a woodwind showcase or a "Great American Music" themed program.

• Syncopation and ragtime-style rhythm reading
• Independent melodic playing within ensemble contexts
• Listening for and balancing multiple simultaneous musical lines
• Stylistic interpretation specific to early 20th-century American music