The Entertainer
in C major
Scott Joplin 1868–1917
C major
Key
Not fast
Tempo
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Difficulty
Our estimate Intermediate
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Themes & character
Dedicated to a minstrel troupe·Classic rag form·Popularized by film·Syncopated charm
At a glance
- Key
- C major
- Tempo / character
- Not fast
About the piece
Published in 1902 and subtitled "A Rag Time Two Step," dedicated to James Brown and His Mandolin Club. Joplin marked the score "Not fast," a reminder often ignored by later performers who took it at a brisker tempo than he intended.
The piece was largely forgotten for decades until its use in the 1973 film The Sting brought ragtime, and Joplin's music in particular, back into wide popularity.
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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