American Classics / Nostalgic / Ragtime
One of the first styles of music I played was fox trots since the piano rolls I first learned music from were mostly pop music from the 1920’s. Fox trots dominated the massive piano roll collection my parents had gotten with their player piano when I was a kid. I learned songs like “Shine,” “That Old Gang of Mine,” and “Charlie My Boy” right off the player rolls. Keep in mind, in the 1960’s as well as now, no one expected a 7-year-old kid to be playing this stuff on the piano. People can hear fox trot influences in some of my original music and in my playing style. This is why!
Years later, I learned more complicated classic rags from Scott Joplin like “Maple Leaf Rag”, “Solace” and “The Entertainer”.
Songs like “Blue Moon,” “Unchained Melody,” “Moonlight Serenade” are great American Classics as well as the patriotic songs I have on this list.
Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin
The Entertainer – Scott Joplin
Solace – Scott Joplin
Bethena – Scott Joplin
Elite Syncopations – Scott Joplin
Ragtime Dance – Scott Joplin
Blue Moon
Breezin’ Along With The Breeze
Midnight, The Stars And You
Marie
September Song
Moonlight And Roses
Nancy
Oh Katharina
When I Dream Of The Last Waltz With You
Eliza
Please
If You Hadn’t Gone Away
Precious
Shine
Remembering
Indiana Moon
What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry
Good ‘ol Days In Alabama
It’s Too Late To Be Sorry Now
Hearts And Flowers
Strike Up The Band
Stars And Stripes Forever – John Philip Souza
God Bless America
Southern Nights Waltz – Lee Roberts
California Nights Waltz – Lee Roberts
America The Beautiful
God Bless The Usa – Lee Greenwood
National Anthem
National Emblem March
Charlie My Boy
That Old Gang Of Mine
Dream Daddy
Swanee River
Swanee Butterfly
Carolina Sunshine
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Begin The Beguine – Cole Porter
Summertime
Always – Irving Berlin
Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller
Sunrise Serenade – Glenn Miller
Moon River
Jealousy
12th Street Rag
I’m Gonna Let The Bumble Bee Be
A Bicycle Built For Two
Carry Me Back To My Carolina Home
La Rosita
Camptown Races
San Francisco, Open Your Golden Gate
There’s Yes Yes In Your Eyes
Baby Face
My Clarabel Waltz
