Next Scott Joplin's rag?

[schwartzer]

Hello everyone!

I'm feeling like learning another Joplin's rag (I know how to play maple leaf rag), and I don't want to have as much trouble as I had so I want to ask you all a question.

Which rag would be easier to learn:

*Swipesy (Cakewalk)
*The Ragtime Dance
*The Cascades
*The Entertaier
Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

[ted]

The Cascades is considerably harder than the other three in all strains, especially its third, which needs light, clear left hand octaves. The other three are all easier than Maple Leaf.

[pianoplunker]

Hello everyone!

I'm feeling like learning another Joplin's rag (I know how to play maple leaf rag), and I don't want to have as much trouble as I had so I want to ask you all a question.

Which rag would be easier to learn:

*Swipesy (Cakewalk)
*The Ragtime Dance
*The Cascades
*The Entertaier
Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

Chrysanthemum

[schwartzer]

Yeah, I feared "The Cascades" sounded a bit harder, haha.

And I'll definately consider "Chrysanthemum"!


Thanks for the input so far!

[pianoplunker]

Yeah, I feared "The Cascades" sounded a bit harder, haha.

And I'll definately consider "Chrysanthemum"!


Thanks for the input so far!

All of the pieces you mention have their own challenges. I consider The Cascades  probably the most "difficult"  only because I find the left hand octave passages to be physically more demanding. But it is not a complicated piece, it keeps traditional chords and progressions.  Any of Joplin's music is worth learning. Very melodic sweet melodies. I think most piano players play it way too fast, and thus loose the true beauty of the melodies. Even Joplin marked up his piece with "Not too fast",  not Presto Con Fuoco. 

[indianajo]

I do Paragon, Magnetic and Maple Leaf.  I think Maple Leaf is easiest because the left hand is all Bb and Eb chords, but I'm severely left handed.  Paragon and Magetic were in the first Belwin ragtime book I bought before anybody had the NY Public Library compilation in stock.  I couldn't afford the complete compilation anyway in those days when I was making $2.25 an hour as a truck loader.

[toby1]

Bethena concert waltz. I've been learning it and enjoy it

[cn75]

I would suggest "Pleasant Moments", a ragtime waltz. It has a nice melody and is not as "hokey" as many other Joplin rags. The left-hand pattern is much easier to play than the usual "oom-pah".

Score and free recordings can be found here:

https://imslp.org/wiki/Pleasant_Moments_(Joplin,_Scott)

[schwartzer]

Whoa, lots of new answers, thanks so much everyone!

I heard all the suggestions, but even then, there's something about Swipesy that I really like. And there are so many repeats! I believe it'd be "easy". What do you guys think?

On the other hand, The Ragtime Dance is also so unique. I'm having some trouble deciding between these two.

I do, however, believe The Ragtime Dance is a bit harder than Swipesy, right?

[pianoplunker]

Whoa, lots of new answers, thanks so much everyone!

I heard all the suggestions, but even then, there's something about Swipesy that I really like. And there are so many repeats! I believe it'd be "easy". What do you guys think?

On the other hand, The Ragtime Dance is also so unique. I'm having some trouble deciding between these two.

I do, however, believe The Ragtime Dance is a bit harder than Swipesy, right?

Just do both !

[schwartzer]

Just do both !

Wow, straight up rock n' roll, then!

[briansaddleback]

Hi I am very fond of Scott Joplin's works (it is what got me interested in piano again at my current older age) because it is relatively easier to work through than harder classical works (which I have no time nor inclination to get into; I wish I concentrated more on it when I was learning when I was a child though  )

I am practicing a variety of his pieces and do find Entertainer for me to be more difficult than Maple leaf Rag. I have a tremendous amt of difficulty nailing the right hand octaves cleanly. Maple leaf was an issue regarding more of rhythm thus I was able to learn it (at least to play through it memorized in a half decent performance).

I am working on Cascades now, although difficult in terms of physicality, as someone mentioned above- it is not too difficult to learn theory wise as it is laid out in a pretty simple fashion. It is also a very fun piece to work on and even on a slow snail pace it is still enjoyable because you can hear the melody (as opposed to Maple leaf which I couldnt understand the melody until I got it worked up to a certain speed).

Swipesy is also pretty easy compared to others, but watch out, there are a few small sections in the C part that are kind of tricky and still gives me problems so  I still have to slow it down there. It is a cute /pretty melody and played at a certain beat and lightness it really can make those around you smile and nod along and such.



--
I really love the spirit of Joplin's pieces he really infuses a lot of sweet melodies (as someone else mentioned) into practically all of his pieces. and they are very distinct. Lot of them are catchy.
He had a warm heart I suppose in his life filled with joy ( I know his life was however filled with frustrations and eventually ended up short w bad health).

Comparing his melodies to others such as Lamb and Matthews and Scott and so forth , they cant  compare to Joplin. At least in my opinion.
They may have more technically-dense pieces and very showy ragtime structures but they lack a certain endearing melody that is so "Joplinesque"

anyways enjoy your next piece. I am currently working on (learning ...not that I finished the others ..still working on them) Felicity Rag and New Rag.  Really cool melodies

[schwartzer]

Hi I am very fond of Scott Joplin's works (it is what got me interested in piano again at my current older age) because it is relatively easier to work through than harder classical works (which I have no time nor inclination to get into; I wish I concentrated more on it when I was learning when I was a child though  )

I am practicing a variety of his pieces and do find Entertainer for me to be more difficult than Maple leaf Rag. I have a tremendous amt of difficulty nailing the right hand octaves cleanly. Maple leaf was an issue regarding more of rhythm thus I was able to learn it (at least to play through it memorized in a half decent performance).

I am working on Cascades now, although difficult in terms of physicality, as someone mentioned above- it is not too difficult to learn theory wise as it is laid out in a pretty simple fashion. It is also a very fun piece to work on and even on a slow snail pace it is still enjoyable because you can hear the melody (as opposed to Maple leaf which I couldnt understand the melody until I got it worked up to a certain speed).

Swipesy is also pretty easy compared to others, but watch out, there are a few small sections in the C part that are kind of tricky and still gives me problems so  I still have to slow it down there. It is a cute /pretty melody and played at a certain beat and lightness it really can make those around you smile and nod along and such.



--
I really love the spirit of Joplin's pieces he really infuses a lot of sweet melodies (as someone else mentioned) into practically all of his pieces. and they are very distinct. Lot of them are catchy.
He had a warm heart I suppose in his life filled with joy ( I know his life was however filled with frustrations and eventually ended up short w bad health).

Comparing his melodies to others such as Lamb and Matthews and Scott and so forth , they cant  compare to Joplin. At least in my opinion.
They may have more technically-dense pieces and very showy ragtime structures but they lack a certain endearing melody that is so "Joplinesque"

anyways enjoy your next piece. I am currently working on (learning ...not that I finished the others ..still working on them) Felicity Rag and New Rag.  Really cool melodies

Pretty nice and interesting answer there, it helped a lot!

I also have this problem you mentioned about right hand octaves. And, well, The Ragtime Dance has a lot of those in the first section. I guess I'll give Swipesy a go.

Thanks so much everyone, you have all helped me immensely!

[etoapps]

Hello everyone!

I'm feeling like learning another Joplin's rag (I know how to play maple leaf rag), and I don't want to have as much trouble as I had so I want to ask you all a question.

You might want try this with our new piano practise App for The Entertainer. This is at;
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.