Basic fingering question with a ragtime slant

[20yearbreak]

In general, should you strive to mirror the fingering of scales when playing/learning pieces?

I've been learning ragtime pieces and have been kind of winging it with whatever feels the best for fingering.  I was starting to learn Easy Winners...   it starts in A flat major I believe.  I noticed the intro almost looks like a scale exercise and it got me thinking.  Should I strive to use the same fingering for the A flat major scale.  I was just wondering if this would provide some benefit in the future from staying consistent.

Maybe I'm over thinking this.

[nystul]

Sometimes you can use the traditional fingerings, but a lot of times it doesn't work because of what comes before or after the scale run.   Thumb on white key is often a good idea.

[dcstudio]

Easy Winners is one of my favorites and for the intro. - I use this fingering

RH--1--5--4-3-2-1-3--2-1--3-2-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3
LH--5--1--2-3-4-1-2--3-1--2-3-5           2-3-1-2-3  and I stride on from there 

look forward to hearing this when you get it all ready

it's a great tune and always makes folks smile.