Approaching ragtime

[indespair]

Any tips on how to approach ragtime? All Scott Joplin rags seem pretty difficult. I tried learning the entertainer and also managed to learn the first one or two pages, but can't get comfortable around it. So any advice on how to start playing ragtime would be nice.

[williampiano]

If you're new to ragtime you may want to start out with some of Joplin's easier rags. If you're playing the original version of the Entertainer, the one with all the large reaches in it, it may be a hard one to start with. I'd suggest you take a look at some of his easier rags, like The Favorite, Elite Syncopations, The Chrysanthemum and Peacherine Rag.

[indespair]

Yes I did try to learn the original version of the entertainer. The rags that you mentioned.... why are they easier? I mean, are they slower or do they have an easier left hand altogether? Thanks for your reply.

[williampiano]

Well, difficulty is subjective, of course. But, one of the main challenges to Scott Joplin Rags can be the quantity of large reaches and the tempo at which you play them, as some times it can be difficult to play them cleanly. You'll see what I am talking about if you play through some of his harder rags, like Gladiolus Rag, Euphonic Sounds and Fig Leaf Rag. Some rags also come with different challenges, especially rags where you have to hold a lot of notes over other notes, and rags that contain difficult fingering passages. The rags I mentioned were ones that seemed to me, to contain very few challenges compared to the others. But I guess the difficulty is not that important.
Just make sure you find one you like, as that is the most important thing.

I hope I could help. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[drkilroy]

Also, remember what Joplin said and what is written on the most of his scores: "Don't play this piece fast. It is never right to play ragtime fast".

Best regards, Dr

[indespair]

Thanks, everyone.

[j6m8]

I'm a near-beginner at rags, and I found the beginning of Maple Leaf was a great place to start because there weren't that many HUGE jumps (a few medium-sized half-octave ones in the LH though)  and because it was so easily recognizable that it's useful to whip out and say,


"...oh, you mean a ragtime like.... THIS?!"

...and then never have to finish it off.

I'm working on the next section now which is a mite harder, but if you're willing to use it as a study rather than a complete piece, it's a nice one to try. Just my $0.02!

[briansaddleback]

If you're new to ragtime you may want to start out with some of Joplin's easier rags. If you're playing the original version of the Entertainer, the one with all the large reaches in it, it may be a hard one to start with. I'd suggest you take a look at some of his easier rags, like The Favorite, Elite Syncopations, The Chrysanthemum and Peacherine Rag.

I wouldn't go as far to say the four you mention are easier than Entertainer. I've practiced all four of these to some degree and although the Chrysanthemum is the easiest perhaps, they all have a ton of tricky sections to them. Especially Syncopations having that nice syncopated ending which is difficult however very enjoyable to play.

I would say though, these four are far more entertaining to play (and to listen to) than the Entertainer (for lack of better words).
Peacherine is so distinct in all its four sections and so fun to play (especially the C section) and The Favorite is an odd one of the group, having (at least for me) a stranger melody than the other more Joplinesque melodies. the nice thing about The Favorite there can be so many different types of interpretations for the C and D parts. A joy to play.


Here is a thing I noticed... if I don't like the melody as much or do not enjoy the song too much , I feel it can be more difficult to play or practice. The Entertainer for me is a boring piece (sorry) and when I first tried to learn it , I did it because I figure hey this is something popular why not try to learn it. When I was delved into the world of Joplin, I found out he has far more touching and more colorful pieces than the Entertainer, and I never got around finishing off Entertainer to the point I can play it half decently. I still try to dabble in it but I never work myself up to really master any of the hard parts. Just because I am not really moved by it.

[ted]

The main issue with ragtime is not physical. Anyone capable of playing Chopin, Liszt and so on will have more than enough technique to play the notes. The difficulty lies in being able to feel rhythm of a very specific type. Also, the best ragtime players do not separate the functions of each hand, but create a sort of rhythmic counterpoint, very hard to describe in words.

[gregh]

Also, the best ragtime players do not separate the functions of each hand, but create a sort of rhythmic counterpoint, very hard to describe in words.

Also hard to do, until you get used to it (or so I presume).

[chechig]

I don't know your level, but if you want to start playing rag, why dont' you begin with easier one's?
You can find easier rags by Catherin Rollin and Martha Mier so you get rythm and timing more easily.

[etoapps]

Any tips on how to approach ragtime? All Scott Joplin rags seem pretty difficult. I tried learning the entertainer and also managed to learn the first one or two pages, but can't get comfortable around it. So any advice on how to start playing ragtime would be nice.

Hi there, you might want to try our new piano practise App for The Entertainer?

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/entertainer-piano-practice/id773598917?mt=8

Description
The Entertainer. Ever since it was used as the theme tune for the film Sting Scott Joplin's The Entertainer has been the Ragtime piano piece that everybody wants to play.

The usual WebPractice facilities are included; to practise along with a performance at various tempi and be able to repeat individual bars and/ or sections.

The ability to separate the audio and notation of each hand allows you to practise the vamping leaps of the Left Hand whilst the Right Hand is played for you and the syncopation of the Right Hand whilst the Left Hand is played.
You can also choose to see the fingerings for each note for both hand together or separately.

All this can be done at a tempo to suit your needs. Start slowly, master the notes and rhythm until you can play it at a speed which swings.

[alexszojka]

Hi InDespair,

Ragtime is an absolute joy to listen to, and it is equally fun to play. In my experience, Joplin rags have a rather steep learning curve. However, once you get past this learning curve, you will find that you can learn new rags VERY quickly.

I encourage amateurs interested in learning Ragtime to try some simpler versions of the famous rags to learn the general "feel" of this style first:

1) The Entertainer, arranged by James Bastien (Grade 2 lesson book)
2) The Maple Leaf Rag, arranged by Nancy & Randall Faber (Faber Piano Adventures, Level 4)

Once you are comfortable with these rags (or if you are already an advanced pianist) you should learn the "School of Ragtime" by Scott Joplin. It is easy to find it online. It consists of six simple exercises that will give you familiarity with Ragtime rhythms.

Next, the easiest "full version" Joplin rag to learn, in my opinion, is "the Strenuous Life." You can easily find sheet music for it online. The Peacherine Rag and Elite Syncopations are also relatively easy.

In terms of technique, I recommend practicing your 4-note chords and scales, becoming especially familiar with the keys of C, G, F, D, Bb, A, and Eb Major (in order of increasing accidentals). Additionally, I recommend practicing octave scales starting on C, being very careful to play them ***WITHOUT HAND AND WRIST TENSION***. This last point is particularly important.

I hope that you, and other readers, find this advice helpful. Feel free to email me if you'd like to get in touch for any reason.

Cheers,

Alex Szojka
alex.szojka@gmail.com

[ted]

Joplin, Lamb and Scott are the traditional writers in the genre, but in fact much more ragtime of interest and quality has been composed in the last couple of decades than in the whole of its previous history. David Thomas Roberts, Hal Isbitz, Frank French, Scott Kirby, Brian Keenan, Reginald Robinson and many others have all produced first class contemporary ragtime.

In other words, your options are much wider than you probably realise.