Piano Roll Transcriptions

[fhimpsl]

Phil Ohman was a superb pianist who recorded mostly duo-piano performances with his partner, Victor Arden (Lewis J. Fuiks). Ohman never recorded a solo 78rpm performance to my knowledge, but he did record many player piano rolls both as solos and duets with Arden. One of his greatest performances (and generally considered his best roll) is of the popular song "Friends" from 1919. Ohman's giant technique is obvious in this recording, and the novelty licks are as original as they are difficult to play.

Frank

Ohman - Friends - Piano Roll Transcription.pdf

[fhimpsl]

Frank E. Banta was another prolific piano roll recording artist, with hundreds of rolls to his credit. He made recordings for the Aeolian Corporation (MelODee, Universal, Metro-Art and DuoArt labels) and for American Piano Control (Rhythmodik and Ampico labels). His father, Frank P. Banta, was a pioneer in the recording industry having played piano accompaniments to banjo and vocal music very early on (1900-1905 period). Frank E. Banta also made numerous 78rpm recordings, which like the rolls demonstrate his sophisticated, novelty piano tinged style. Of these, his scroll Victors from the late 1920s are likely the best. At the time Banta recorded for Victor, he also made a group of Ampico piano rolls, and the playing style on both roll and record are very comparable. Here is my transcription of his Ampico roll of "Blue River," which is a good example of his playing style, and a beautiful song as well.

Frank

Banta - Blue River - Piano Roll Transcription.pdf

[fhimpsl]

Here is another rag by Charley Straight which appeared only on piano roll and not sheet music. Recorded for the Imperial Roll Company, "Nifty Nonsense" has a particularly good second strain, whereas the trio section while pleasant is not syncopated and is more similar to a novelette. Still the package as a whole works, and this one is a lot of fun to play.

Frank

Straight - Nifty Nonsense - Piano Roll Transcription.pdf

[fhimpsl]

Max Kortlander takes a ragtime poke at death with his "Funeral Rag," which once again only appeared on piano roll. In a minor key appropriately, this is a good piece of ragtime and a very rare piano roll. The transcription is a lot of fun to play as well.

Frank

Kortlander - Funeral Rag - Piano Roll Transcription.pdf

[thalbergmad]

having played piano accompaniments to banjo

And this is the way it should be, with the more important instrument taking the lead.

I am having at least as much fun on my banjo as piano thanks to your sublime posts.

Just need to buy some more ink.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGO_sOvNkjE

A prime example of piano accompanying banjo. Complete heaven.

I wrote to Jonathan Powell asking if he wanted to team up with me, but never got a response.

Thal

[fhimpsl]

Hi Thal,

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you're having fun with the transcriptions.

Also thanks for the refreshing clip of "Tiger Rag"! That fellow is superb, and halfway through was playing single note melody lines ala Harry Reser! Not many can do that
as far as I know.

I should think the Charley Straight rag transcriptions would work very well on banjo.

All best,

Frank

[thalbergmad]

There are definately some excellent banjo/piano possibilities here and even better, some banjo/banjo possibilities. You don't need big hands to play 10ths on banjo and quick chord changes make it almost possible to play some of these solo.

Regretfully, I don't know anyone who plays plectrum, so i am on me own here

Thal

[fhimpsl]

Here is Charles Luckyth "Lucky" Roberts playing a tune from his own show "Go-Go," entitled "Mo'Lasses." This is arguably the best "hot" roll ever cut. Can't say much more than that. It is hard driving and takes a lot of strength to play.

Frank

Roberts - Mo'Lasses - Piano Roll Transcription.pdf

[gigiranalli]

Here is Charles Luckyth "Lucky" Roberts playing a tune from his own show "Go-Go," entitled "Mo'Lasses." This is arguably the best "hot" roll ever cut. Can't say much more than that. It is hard driving and takes a lot of strength to play.

Frank

Thanks SO much!!! That's a fantastic piano roll!!! Luckey Roberts' style is very very evident in this exciting piano roll!
Just for curiosity, I post the published version of "Mo'Lasses" that is so poorly scores and simplified that it doesn't even seem like the same song...
I'm sorry to bother you with a request, but since you transcribed so many great ragtime piano rolls, I was wondering if you ever transcribed two that I like very much and would like to learn, "Piping Rock" played by J. Fred Coots and "When You're Good You're Lonesome" played by Edythe Baker....
If you transcribed any of these two, would you please post them on Pianophilia?
Thanks
Luigi