Marlene's Rag

Description

I have long admired the works of the English guitarist/composer Mark Houghton; he seems comfortable writing in many styles and here he illustrates his fine talent in a spirited and amusing solo guitar piece very much in the spirit of the legendary Scott Joplin.

Marlene's Rag travels through three different keys (D major/minor and G major) and is a tuneful and rhythmic affair. The staccato bass line almost throughout needs to be adhered to so as to get the full flavour of this music and this in itself is a good technical study.

The piece is a little more difficult than some of the d'OZ editions from their anniversary catalogue I have reviewed lately - perhaps around the Grade 6+ and is to be recommended.