Perhaps if you master Chopin Waltzes then Ragtime might seem easier since the structure is similar (especially the LH movement), but still the rhythmic style you find in rag, it can only be learnt by doing rags.
I agree: I think that Chopin Waltzes - or even other waltzes, like Strauss, maybe? - should be good for improving the structure of the piece, especially the left hand. I'm studying Golliwog's Cakewalk and I do have a few problems with the left hand, but it's getting better when you learn waltzes. I thought this piece would be very difficult, nevertheless it's being easier than I thought - but I'm speaking about it technically, not musically. After all, it's very hard to perform a piece musically, and G. Cakewalk isn't different.
when some responsible teachers teach their students they actually like to try and make sure their students understand how to count it along with the historical and stylistic considerations of the work rather than a superficial repetition of the cakewalk rhythm....
generally makes for a good musical performance rather than a monkey spitting out some notes
dmk
Unfortunately, my music teacher is like this: she is VERY good, but sometimes she doesn't even care with the music I'm playing, I can miss several notes, but if the music got reasonable, she just said "Good, let's choose another one, and you show me a new music next week".
I do my best for learning as best as I can...
Therefore, about 70%, I would say, that I learned about music I learned by myself. But I'm improving, even I can notice that
Topic: Prep. pieces for Golliwogs Cakewalk