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Ragtime

The Strenuous Life

Scott Joplin (1902)

DifficultyIntermediate
Duration3:04
Notes1,464

Description

This vigorous ragtime takes its title from President Theodore Roosevelt's well-known phrase. Published in 1902, it is driven by tight, energetic rhythms throughout. Maintaining bouncing syncopation at a steady tempo is key to a convincing performance.

Ragtime pieces centered on Scott Joplin's syncopated rhythms — a lively American genre that helped pave the way for jazz.

Sheet Music

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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project

About the Composer

Scott Joplin (1868-1917)

Scott Joplin was an African American composer born in Texas, known as the "King of Ragtime." Blending syncopated, buoyant rhythms with sophisticated harmony, he brought the genre to national prominence with the enormous success of "Maple Leaf Rag." This site includes 18 of his works, such as "The Entertainer" and "Elite Syncopations."

View all works by Joplin
The Strenuous Life - Scott Joplin | Visual Piano