Red, White, and Ragtime: More on "America the Beautiful"

When the Song Gets Lost in the Style

I was playing yesterday's recording of Jonny's "America the Beautiful" rag for my husband last night, and he gave me the strangest look.

"What?" I asked.

"I can't even tell what that song is," he said.

I sang along to help him follow the melody, but he just shook his head. "I don't hear it. I don't hear 'America the Beautiful.'"

I thought maybe my version was too slow and mistake-riddled, so I played a recording of Jonny himself playing it.

It still just sounded like a bunch of tinkly notes to him.

I was floored. This isn’t the first time this has happened, either. Awhile back, I played a bluesy improv on "Silent Night," and he couldn’t decipher that one either, even when I sang along. I shared that recording on Facebook, asking friends to name the tune. Some recognized it instantly, but others? Completely stumped.

How can a song be so clear to some and unrecognizable to others? Is a different style really that much of a distraction?

Updated Plans for "America the Beautiful"

Picking up from yesterday’s post, I’m still working on Jonny's "America the Beautiful" rag, but I’ve added a new challenge: learning his jazzy intro. I sight-read it a couple of times this morning, and it's not too hard, excepting a few awkward hand-stretches. I also printed out Ray Charles’ arrangement to use as a fake book guide. My goal is to create my own gospel-style arrangement with octave walk-ups and walk-downs. I can hear it in my head, but getting it out at the piano is tougher than I expected. It’s going to take some time.

Will It All Be Ready by July 4?

I’d love to have everything polished by July 4, but that’s ambitious. I’m confident I’ll have Jonny’s intro and the ragtime section nailed by then. The bluesy gospel ending? That might not come together until mid-July. When it’s ready, you’ll hear it here first!

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