Now Available: "Temptation Rag"
Temptation Rag was written by Thomas Henry Lodge in 1909 and was his first published rag. Most rags go up a fourth after the A and B sections, but this rag doesn't. Instead it stays in Eb major and C minor, retaining the same key signature throughout. My arrangement moves the piece into Ab major/F minor in order to better fit the saxophone ranges. I especially wanted the chromatic run in measures 11 and 12 to work as a bari/tenor duet.
The dedication is related to a different "Temptation." Every Michigan fan knows the line, "We feature our percussion section in a Michigan tradition. Ladies and gentlemen, Temptation!!" If you're unfamiliar with this line, do yourself a favor and click here. When I was in the Michigan Marching Band, Audrey was in the percussion section, playing cymbals or snare, depending on the year. She was full of enthusiasm, drive, and spirit. In Michigan Marching Band slang, all those qualities are covered by the word "Yuba." She has since carried that into life.
Now I just need something to arrange that has "Hawaii" or "Hawaiian" in the title, because you can't have one without the other! Suggestions welcome!
