This is an excellent ensemble piece in that it allows for great flexibility in instrument combinations. In this arrangement for two clarinets in Bb with piano accompaniment the realisation tempo is 76 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute with the repeats not played. What is interesting about performing this piece is the impact of a change of tempo on the musical character and musical outcomes. A tempo of 70 quarter note beats to the minute sounds quite slow and yet 80 quarter note beats to the minute sounds fast. Generally, there is not a great amount of performance detail indicated in ragtime music although where opportunity arises when repeating sections performers need to explore dynamic range. The formal pattern of Joplin’s ragtime pieces generally have the structure of the typical American March which can be represented as Intro AA BB AA Link CC DD. Piano accompanists are advised to make use of the sustaining pedal although this aspect of the performance detail has not been indicated in the music score. The clarinet in Bb parts have been appended so as to allow players to perhaps share the repeats. Piano accompaniments are available as mp3 downloads at tempi of 76, 72, and 68 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute. The repeats are played in the accompaniments and there is a four bar count in at the beginning with bar 4 being silent.
