Six Pony Rags [WIP] (Nature Walk added)

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

So, besides trying to make my way in the brony community by contributing semi-critical reviews of episodes and examining their flaws and merits in a philosophically rigorous way, I also compose music.

 

Here we have my pony-inspired ragtime/novelty/stride piano suite, quite plainly titled "Six Pony Rags", which attempt to describe each of the Mane 6 in these early piano jazz forms.  (Yes, I'm aware that ragtime doesn't quite count as jazz because it is more of a compositional than an improvisational art.)  Each of them has three or four unique themes in their traditional form and style, and the third theme in 5 of them is a ragged version of a song from the show that concerns the pony described.  ("Ten Seconds Flat" is currently an exception because Rainbow Dash has no song of her own   .  If you have any suggestions on what to put there I'd sure like to hear it.) 

 

Of course, this endeavor is currently incomplete, but I think it would benefit to at least post what I have so far, in ideas and composition, for reception and commentary purposes.

 

Pony Rag No. 1: Applebuckin' Day

 

 

Pony: Applejack

Trio Theme Parody: "Apples to the Core"

 

Pony Rag No. 2: The Dressmaker

 

[composition in progress]

 

Pony: Rarity

Trio Theme Parody: "Becoming Popular"

 

Pony Rag No. 3: Nature Walk

 

 

Pony: Fluttershy

Trio Theme Parody: "So Many Wonders"

 

Pony Rag No. 4: Cupcakes and Fun

 

[composition in progress]

 

Pony: Pinkie Pie

Trio Theme Parody: "Smile, Smile, Smile"

 

Pony Rag No. 5: Element of Magic

 

[composition in progress]

 

Pony: Twilight Sparkle

Trio Theme Parody: "A True, True Friend"

 

Pony Rag No. 6: Ten Seconds Flat

 

[composition in progress]

 

Pony: Rainbow Dash

Trio Theme Parody: "Pegasus" (James Scott)

 

I will be updating this post as soon as I complete my rags and, in some cases, actually learn to play them on the piano myself.  I am currently working on learning my first, which is still far from perfect in execution.

 

But above all, enjoy!

Edited April 1, 2015 by OptimisticNeighsayer

[Doc Monochrome 173]

ah! so youre the one who did those ragtime pieces! very cool. very cool.

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

ah! so youre the one who did those ragtime pieces! very cool. very cool.

I've only done one so far.  You might be thinking of The8bitbrony who's composed a number of very good rag pieces (my favorite of them being "The Rarity Rag") or whoever did the rag arrangement of "BBBFF", those are the only two genuine pony-inspired rag composers I know of. 

[Doc Monochrome 173]

Eh yeahs...kinda was wondering about that myself. Still pretty cool though. Rag-Time is a nice musical style.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

You've got an awesome style. That rag just really brings nostalgia to my ears! But the quality just bugs me. I've got a sweet virtual Steinway Piano in my music program I can run it through to bump up the quality if you'd like...

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

You've got an awesome style. That rag just really brings nostalgia to my ears! But the quality just bugs me. I've got a sweet virtual Steinway Piano in my music program I can run it through to bump up the quality if you'd like...

I'd like that.  I kind of doubt I'll be able to post a hand-played version before July 5th when I have to leave for Quebec.

 

So, do you just need the music file or should I give you the sheet music so you can adapt it? 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

I'd like that.  I kind of doubt I'll be able to post a hand-played version before July 5th when I have to leave for Quebec.

 

So, do you just need the music file or should I give you the sheet music so you can adapt it? 

I'll just need the MIDI File. 

 

Are the sheets in .mus format?

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

I'll just need the MIDI File. 

 

Are the sheets in .mus format?

They're in .msc-type files (MuseScore, which is downloadable for free).

 

The file that's up there is a .wav file.  I have a MIDI version, but it's for some reason significantly faster.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

They're in .msc-type files (MuseScore, which is downloadable for free).

 

The file that's up there is a .wav file.  I have a MIDI version, but it's for some reason significantly faster.

Send me the MIDI file. My email is menelikcan@aol.com

[DND 2,355]

I love rags! So glad someone makes pony music like this on these forums! This sounds so professional- I love it so~ 

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

I love rags! So glad someone makes pony music like this on these forums! This sounds so professional- I love it so~ 

Hey thanks.  Figured I'd do something to make me stand out from all the brony musician-composers out there.

[I'mNotaDJ 63]

Well here is a genre you certainly don't see a lot of. Good on you for tackling it very convincingly! Still, to echo Thunder Dash's sentiment, it's in need of an updated virtual instrument. I'd love to hear the rest after you get your hands on something. I can personally recommend Cinesample's Piano in Blue as an affordable starting point. Keep swingin'.    

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

I promised myself I would get my next rag done by the end of the month and I did!  Spring is here; why not take a Nature Walk with Fluttershy?

 

Apparently the dynamics are not showing up...

 

 

 

Well here is a genre you certainly don't see a lot of. Good on you for tackling it very convincingly! Still, to echo Thunder Dash's sentiment, it's in need of an updated virtual instrument. I'd love to hear the rest after you get your hands on something. I can personally recommend Cinesample's Piano in Blue as an affordable starting point. Keep swingin'.

 

Looked it up.  Don't consider $99 affordable.  Not at this point anyway, maybe when I get a job. 

Edited April 1, 2015 by OptimisticNeighsayer