Hello Mara,
Where to begin?? I have played for well over 17 years. I took lessons for well
over 12 of those years and minored in music in college. I have played rag for
well over 10, as I find it so very challenging. It is something that you really
have to have lots of stanima for. :) I read music, as well as can usualy pick
up things that I hear as I have played so long. Ever watch the old re-runs of
Lawence Welk? There is woman by the name of Joann Castle. If you ever get the
chance to view this, you can see first hand. She is really good. She is a
personal friend of mine, and I am not sure as to where you are from, but she
plays regularly in Branson Mo. I think that she has a web site. www.joanncastle
that you can go in, and she has samples of her music. THere are many other
artists as well such as Scott Joplin, and so there are some sources for you that
you might look into as far as testing the waters. I do not play classical as I
had to do this when coming up, and not really into the
classical scene, but love jazz and rag. Yes, there is tons of theory, but as
with anything, its not all that difficult, but rather as viewed as a receipe or
puzzle, and when learned, is like a secret code. There are many players that
have little to just mere basics in theory as most find it very boring.

Well, hope this helps a little, I enjoy hearing from you and should you have
other questions, just drop me a note.

Paul

grrluknow <grrluknow@...> wrote:
--- In ragtimepianomusic@yahoogroups.com, cindee habib
<cindee_42431@y...> wrote:
> HI Mara,
>
> Just to let you know, I received your note, and wanted to share
with you the things that I have known about rag music. Due to time
constraints at this time, I will have to get with you over the
weekend, but wanted you to know that I will respond to your request.
I have played this type of music for well over 15 years now, and its
alot of work, but alot of fun as well. If you will, tell me what
exactly experience you have with music-playing the piano, so that I
may give you a clearer picture and hopefully anser any questions that
you might have.

Hi! I don't really have any piano experience yet and have just
recently acquired a piano and may be able to afford lessons soon. I
took clarinet lessons when I was a kid for a couple of years, so I
can read music a little, but have forgotten a lot of it in the
intervening time. I am just becoming interested in it again and I am
especially fond of ragtime, though from others I've heard it is very
challenging to play. What do you enjoy playing most? Do you play a
lot of classical? Do you find it easier or more difficult than
ragtime? Do you play by ear or sight read well? If you do both, do
you do one better than the other? I've heard that people generally do
one or the other well, not usually both, though I'm sure there must
be exceptions.
Any other experiences you'd like to share, I'd love to hear about too.
Did you acquire a lot of music theory background before you began to
play?

Thanks,
Mara






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