Swipesy Cakewalk

Infobox Standard
title="Swipesy."
comment="(Cakewalk)"


image_size=
caption=Cover, sheet music, 1900
writer=Scott Joplin/Arthur Marshall
composer=
lyricist=
published= 1900
written=
language=English
form=Rag
original_artist=
recorded_by=
performed_by=The "Swipesy Cakewalk" is a ragtime composition written in 1900 by a musical duo consisting of the notable ragtime master Scott Joplin and the young composer Arthur Marshall. Contrary to its name, "Swipesy" was written in a highly syncopated ragtime style, rather than the simple syncopations of a cakewalk. The style follows the AA BB A CC DD musical form common for both cakewalks and rags, particularly after the earlier publication of Joplin's hit Maple Leaf Rag.

"Swipesy" begins with a four-measure introduction in B-flat major (two flats). It modulates to three flats for the trio (C) section, returning to two flats for the final (D) section. It is thought that Joplin wrote the trio and Marshall wrote the final section.

A popular legend says that the title was suggested by John Stillwell Stark, one of Joplin's original publishers, when "Swipesy" was first being considered for publication. [Hinson, Maurice. "At the Piano with Scott Joplin".(1990) Van Nuys, California: Alfred Publishing Co.] The photograph which was to appear on the cover of the new (and unnamed) composition featured a young Sedalia newsboycite book
last=Jasen
first=David A.
coauthors=Trebor Jay Tichenor
title=Rags and Ragtime: A Musical History
publisher=Dover Publications, Inc.
year=1978
location=New York, NY
pages=pp. 107-108
isbn=0-486-25922-6] with a shy expression on his face. Stark allegedly remarked that the boy's countenance seemed to suggest that he had just "swiped" something from a cookie jar. "Lets call [the song] 'Swipesy'," said Stark, and thus the title was decided.

The copyright for this piece was registered on July 21, 1900.

References

External links

* [http://www.mfiles.co.uk/scores/Swipesy.htm Sheet music and mp3] at mfiles.co.uk (interactive version requires [http://www.sibelius.com/products/scorch/index.html Scorch] )

See also

* List of compositions by Scott Joplin