| Swipesy | |
|---|---|
Cover of the sheet music |
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| Cakewalk by Scott Joplin | |
| Second composer | Arthur Marshall |
| Published | 1900 |
| Musical form | Cakewalk |
| Instrument | Piano Solo |
| Genre | Ragtime |
| Publisher | John Stark & Son |
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. "Swipsey" uses the simple syncopations of a cakewalk - the first beat being a sixteenth, eighth, sixteenth note division, and the second beat an even eighth note division. 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. Only the C section, composed by Joplin, departs from the cakewalk rhythm and is more pure ragtime. The composition was written in the late 1890s when Joplin was living with the Marshall family, and was teaching Arthur (1881 - 1968), composition.
"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.[1]
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.[2] The photograph which was to appear on the cover of the new (and unnamed) composition featured a young Sedalia newsboy[1] 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.[1]
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