Root Beer Rag

Nine-year old Sam's musical tastes are much more sophisticated than many adults, and he really does not like most rock 'n roll - something I admit with a heavy heart (luckily Molly's tastes are closer to mine). That being said, there are some artists that Sam has come to like including Billy Joel and James Taylor.

One BJ tune in particular appeals to Sam as it is a piano instrumental - and a very tricky one at that. Root Beer Rag (from Streetlife Serenade) is a very upbeat and complex ragtime tune. In an effort to foster an interest in my music for Sam, I picked up the sheet music for him this week.

Betsy, an accomplished pianist in her own right, tried it out first and was having some trouble with it and had to play it very slowly to figure out the fingering. Sam, meanwhile, has spent just about an hour in total working on it and is starting to sound very much like Billy himself in terms of keeping the right tempo as well as the phrasing. The interesting thing is that once he figured out the notes, he has worked on it without looking at the sheet music - he is doing it by ear and from having heard the song maybe half a dozen times in total.

We always knew Sam was a talented musician, but the fact that he is working on a piece that is meaningful to me brings a huge smile of happiness and satisfaction to my face. Now if only he could make some of Billy Joel's money . . .