Magical Moment 419, "Make Noise, Joyfully"

I spent the day practicing the Weeping Willow Rag by Scott Joplin. Ragtime music is great for ballet tondu exercises and I'm trying to expand my repertoire for rehearsals. I printed out the sheet music and began the daunting task of sight-reading a new song. One line at a time, I played the right hand, then the left hand. Over and over, drilling the new patterns into my head. 

I opened the window to feel the breeze as I practiced, and suddenly became too distracted to continue. The most obnoxious crow was squawking! Over and over! It was harsh, and loud, and repetitive. He just would not stop. So I tried to block him out and play louder. When I did, it seemed like he only squawked louder!

Eventually Eddie poked his head in the music room and asked, "Uh, what are you playing?" 

"It's the Weeping Willow Rag! Can't you tell? It takes a while to learn it well enough to sound recognizable!"

That's when I thought, hmmm. That poor crow was probably sitting outside on his little wire, minding his own business, when the most obnoxious, clunky piano music came bursting from a nearby window, ruining his quiet time. Poor little guy couldn't even make out a tune to whistle along with, just a mess of discombobulated notes! At least the crow's song was steady and solid. And who knows, maybe he's practicing his own piece and he just hasn't got it up to par yet. Who am I to judge? No matter what your song sounds like, just sing it! 

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." 

~ Psalm 98:4

Since I'm still working on this one, here are a few other rags:

12th Street Rag

The Entertainer