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

David Marlatt's arrangement preserves the infectious syncopation and melodic charm of Joplin's original while creating a natural give-and-take between the trumpet voices and keyboard. The addition of stylistically accurate counter melodies in the piano part expands the harmonic texture without obscuring the source material, making this both a faithful adaptation and a genuine recomposition. For brass ensembles, this arrangement offers the rare opportunity to perform a canonical American work with authentic period character at an accessible difficulty level.

Rag-Time Dance captures the exuberance and sophistication of early 20th-century ballroom culture, where precision and playfulness coexist. The melody bounces and syncopates above a propulsive harmonic foundation, creating an infectious energy that feels both structured and celebratory. Performing this piece requires the kind of rhythmic clarity and rhythmic independence that makes ragtime both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Intermediate brass duet players and small ensemble groups seeking accessible yet musically substantial repertoire can build confidence while exploring a canonical American composer. Directors programming concerts that blend classical and popular traditions will find this arrangement opens doors to conversations about ragtime's place in music history. This work suits community bands, college chamber ensembles, and advanced high school brass players.

• Establish the tempo with the pianist before rehearsal begins; the ragtime pulse must remain steady throughout, even as the syncopation in the melody creates the illusion of rhythmic complexity.
• Balance the trumpet lines to ensure the melody remains prominent when both instruments play together, but allow the second trumpet's counter melodies to emerge clearly during keyboard-led sections so the arrangement's harmonic conversation stays audible.
• Articulate the syncopated figures with light, precise tonguing; avoid rushing or dragging the off-beat accents, which define the ragtime character.
• Listen carefully to the piano's stride bass pattern and lock your phrasing to it, using that steady foundation as a reference point even when the melody pulls rhythmically across the bar line.

Include this arrangement on a pops or American composers concert to anchor a ragtime set, pairing it with other Joplin rags or contemporary works influenced by ragtime traditions. It also works effectively as a concert opener, where its upbeat character and clear melodic appeal immediately engage an audience. For educational contexts, program it alongside works that demonstrate how vernacular musical idioms became concert repertoire.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms with metric precision
• Balancing melodic lines in a duet while maintaining independence
• Intonation in rapid modal shifts and chromatic harmonic movement
• Articulation and phrasing that conveys period style without exaggeration
• Listening to and locking with accompaniment while maintaining rhythmic autonomy