Comment by thereallyniceman on April 27, 2013 at 14:28

I have always loved Ragtime Music and James Scott was one of its finest composers.

Grace and Beauty is probably my favourite of all his pieces and I decided to learn to play it and with the help of my wife, on a Yamaha CVP503 piano, we recorded this video.

I am pleased that James Scott gave the instruction “ Do not play this piece fast” as it is difficult enough to play slowly  :-)

My version is based on a transcription made of Fred Van Eps playing Grace and Beauty. Thanks for the help I was given by site members recently on certain sections of the piece.

Comment by Alan Sims on April 27, 2013 at 15:24

I had to listen twice to this one . what a catchy tune . You make a great duo .I hope your gigging . Makes me feel like i want to go out on the road again  . I love the smiles to ,you both look like your enjoying it. 

Comment by Trapdoor2 on April 27, 2013 at 15:28

This is so much fun to watch; Ian appearing to have sweat squirting out of his forehead like a cartoon and thereallynicelady looking calm and serene...

Well done, the both of you! Great tune and great performance!

Comment by Mike Moss on April 27, 2013 at 15:32

That was absolutely brilliant, Mr. and Mrs. Reallynicepersons, it made my day. The arrangement just flows beautifully and you two do an excellent job at stepping into the shoes of Messrs. Epps and Banta. The camera work was very neat too -- is the giant plant for real or did you just bluescreen yourselves onto it? ;-)

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 27, 2013 at 17:41

You can't beat James Scott!

Ta for the comments. I guess we both suffer from "Shiny Head Syndrome", eh Marc?

Mike, Yes the plant is real alright. We bought is as a really straggly seedling, but it growing nicely in that corner and is just going to flower. I hope it will be nice.

Comment by Steve Harrison on April 27, 2013 at 21:50

A brilliant rendition of a great ragtime tune. My to do list is now so long, I doubt if I'll get through it all! I must give that one a try...what arrangement did you settle on and do you have the score?....Steve.

Comment by marc dalmasso on April 28, 2013 at 7:35

Brilliant , Mrs & Mr ; great playing ; i will  tell you a secret & permit to go from 5 stars to  10 .....

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 28, 2013 at 10:56

Has it got to be a Bechstein?  We are still saving up Marc! 

Steve, the arrangement I worked from is in the MUSIC LIBRARY. I have altered a few bits to make it easier, but it ain't that easy!

I added a short banjo interlude at the start of the TRIO, if a piano is not playing:

and a final alternative Coda which is a little nearer to how Fred Van Eps played it:

Comment by Shawn McSweeny on April 29, 2013 at 13:37

Wonderful performances and a charming video. Bravo.

And you got this rather challenging piece under your hands quickly.

If you have another FVE recording or two you'd like without the surface noise, let me know. 

Comment by German David Patarroyo on April 29, 2013 at 23:41

A really nice pic Mr. and Mrs. Reallynicepersons :) I wish I had a Mrs. andeanbanjo on the piano but she is studying in Canada right now. Can wait for listening a new tune from both :)

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