Maple Leaf Rag (Part B) | Piano Play-Along
Scott Joplin
Composed and published in 1899, Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin is one of the most famous and influential ragtime piano pieces ever written. This work helped popularize ragtime music and established Joplin as the “King of Ragtime.” Its success marked a key moment in American music history, bridging African American musical traditions with mainstream popular culture.
The piece is structured in a classic ragtime form, typically following an AABBACCDD pattern, where each section presents a catchy, syncopated melody supported by a steady, rhythmic left-hand accompaniment. Stylistically, Maple Leaf Rag features the characteristic ragtime “ragged” rhythm—syncopated melodies that play off a steady, march-like bass—creating a lively, upbeat, and danceable feel. The music combines formal classical techniques with African American rhythmic innovation, showcasing Joplin’s skill in crafting compositions that are both technically intricate and irresistibly catchy. It remains a foundational work in the ragtime repertoire and a symbol of turn-of-the-century American music.
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