Elite Syncopations
in A♭ major
Scott Joplin 1868–1917
A♭ major
Key
Not too fast
Tempo
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Difficulty
Our estimate Intermediate
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Themes & character
Refined ragtime·Multi-strain structure·Ragtime maturity·Elegant syncopation
At a glance
- Key
- A♭ major
- Tempo / character
- Not too fast
About the piece
Published in 1902, one of the pieces from the peak years of Joplin's output, after Maple Leaf Rag had made him the most successful composer of ragtime in the country. Its title reflects the more refined, "elite" style Joplin increasingly aimed for, distancing ragtime from its rougher honky-tonk associations.
Like most of his mature rags, it moves through several contrasting strains, each with its own melodic character, unified by a consistent syncopated pulse.
The composer
Scott Joplin
1868–1917
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Dubbed the "King of Ragtime", he composed more than 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag", became the genre's first and most influential hit, later being recognized as the quintessential rag. Joplin considered ragtime to be a form of classical music meant to be played in concert halls and largely disdained the performance of ragtime as honky tonk music most common in saloons.
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