Contrary Motion is a solo piano composition by Willie "The Lion" Smith, one of the founding figures of Harlem stride piano. The piece takes its name from its central musical device: the right and left hands moving in opposite directions, creating a dynamic, interlocking effect that showcases the hand independence fundamental to stride technique. Written in D major with a 32-bar form, the composition features rippling, cascading lines and a bouncy rhythmic feel suited to uptempo swing performance. Smith first recorded it in 1949 during his mature period, and it appears on compilations including 100 Classic Recordings 1925-53. He also performed it live, as documented on his Live at Blues Alley album for Halcyon Records. Within Smith's catalog, Contrary Motion sits alongside better-known stride originals like Echoes of Spring and Fingerbuster, blending ragtime roots with jazz improvisation while prioritizing composed melody. It remains a deep cut in the jazz repertoire rather than a widely performed standard, holding particular significance among stride piano enthusiasts. On AllSolos, the tune is represented by Emmet Cohen's piano performance from Live From Emmet's Place Vol. 56 with Joe Lovano, a modern encounter with this classic stride tradition.
