Dubbed “The King of Ragtime”, Scott Joplin was born in east Texas, most likely during the second half of 1867. He pursued teaching and performances to earn a living as he moved throughout the South, eventually settling in Missouri (Sedalia, and later St. Louis) in 1894. His first publication of two songs came the following year, while his enduring hit “Maple Leaf Rag” followed several years later in 1899. This edition includes Joplin’s “School of Ragtime” instructional material, “Performance and Practice” notes, and four of his pieces that are most representative of his Ragtime style: The Entertainer, Bethena (A Concert Waltz), Solace (A Mexican Serenade), and Maple Leaf Rag.
The included Practice & Performance remarks by Dr. Mitchell are designed to anticipate and assist with various technical and interpretive challenges that may be encountered. These suggestions are merely a starting point, meant both to propose specific frameworks for exploration as well as to spur the pianist’s own creativity in approaching matters of dynamics, touch, rhythm, pedaling, and expression. As with music of any era, a broader immersion in ragtime through score study, practice, and exposure to high quality recordings will help shape each pianist’s own conception of this style.