Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Brassman Bart: Cotton Top Rag, March and Two-Step


Brassman Bart's Comments: "This week's musical offering is Cotton Top Rag, written by Will Huff, published in 1916 by Fillmore Music House, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Never heard of Will Huff? Actually, you have, but not by this name. Will Huff is an alias for a famous composer of that era, and this will be the basis of this week's trivia questions. The first question is obvious: 1. What was Will Huff's real name? 2. Why did he use an alias? 3. How many works did he publish? You get bragging rights if you get all three right.
This is listed as a march and two step, which were quite popular in the era, and this one is not terribly difficult to perform, and would be a good number for a school band or city band. The music is available as a free download at bandmusicpdf.org, and is fun to perform and fun to listen to. All parts are performed by me, using Audacity multi track recording program. Parts covered are solo, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cornet, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trombone, baritone, tuba; percussion is covered using low cowbell for the bass drum part, high cowbell and tambourine for the snare drum part, and cymbal and triangle. Please watch the video to the end to hear the answers to last week's trivia questions about Karl King's True Blue march, and please subscribe to my channel. Thank you. Brassman Bart"

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