Customer Reviews for Complete Rags for Piano
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Excellent!
Location: from Scottsdale, AZ
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 19, 2011
Joplin Complete Rags is a must have
One of the best publications of the Joplin Rags. Each one was better than the other, and I stayed up till the wee hours of the night, determined to finish going through everything. So much fun. And I will continue buying from Sheetmusicplus.com. Everything arrives on time and their selection of music is great.
14 of 30 people found this review helpful.
Karen Bretz
Location: from Anchorage, AK
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
August 17, 2009
Great edition but too many page turns!
This is a great edition of the complete Joplin piano works, including The School of Ragtime. In typical Schirmer fashion, the paper and type are fine. Previous reviewers have written about their difficulty in keeping the book flat. Kinko's cut the spine off mine and ring bound it with plastic covers. Problem solved. My only complaint is all the page turns! Most of the rags have 2 page turns. I don't think that the editors would have sacrificed readability by putting more systems on a page. The editors of www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Library-Of-Ragtime-Early-Blues-Piano/3594359 managed to put each of their Joplin selections on 4 pages with 1 page turn. Minor point, but there's not much room in Joplin to drop notes to make the page turn.
45 of 67 people found this review helpful.
Albert Everett
Location: from Little Rock, AR
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
April 20, 2009
A Must for your library
This is serious American music. This music is fun to play....once you've got the notes in your fingers. The more advanced your octave technique the better. After all that, it's your body which plays the music. There's hardly a European note in the whole book.
37 of 69 people found this review helpful.
Chelsea
Location: from Reno, NV
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 5, 2008
Yay ragtime!
Great collection of rags! Very accurate, and because it's a complete works collection, there is a great variety of pieces: everything from low intermediate to mid-advanced level pieces. My personal favorites are Bethena, Magnetic Rag, and Maple Leaf.
29 of 55 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Belle Fourche, SD
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
October 2, 2008
Fabulous Joplin
This is a wonderful book with the complete works of the all time great Scott Joplin.
20 of 54 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Everett, WA
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
August 15, 2008
The Original Scott Joplin
Took this thick, manila colored book to my instructor and he was very pleased. I believe it has nearly every Ragtime piece ever written by Scott Joplin, original format. In the appendix at the back of the book I also discovered the original, "School of Ragtime" pieces, which according to my instructor, are essential to Ragtime studies. I was pleasantly suprised as I usually find that Schirmer publications consist of classical pieces.
19 of 34 people found this review helpful.
Evelyn Mozart14
Location: from hedgesville, WV
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 17, 2008
I love ragtime
I love the Maple leaf Rag, its kinda hard, but it is fun to play. There is a lot of chords involved in the left hand, but it is rewarding when your hands just go their own way. I LOVE IT
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
RB
Location: from Nevada
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
June 16, 2008
What fun!
A super collection of really fun pieces - the layout is pretty good - my only problem is getting the book to stay open without bending it too much....at least the pages don't fall out though!!! Great entertainment and good at teaching you to really read the music first.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
John Stuller
Location: from Heidelberg, Germany
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
May 19, 2008
OUTSTANDING COLLECTION
The collection is complete and the editing is expertly done. I highly recommend this set. Wonderful music. An American genius--Scott Joplin.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Rob Dominianni
Location: from West Paterson, NJ
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 27, 2008
superb collection!
This is an astonishing collection. The print is very readable, and the price is great. The pages seem to be glued in better than the Dover collection--although that too is a fine book.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Jonathan Humbert
Location: from Elizabethtown, PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
March 17, 2008
Easy-to-read and loads of fun
Scott Joplin's rags are quite a bit of fun to play. I usually just go through the book occasionally for enjoyment's sake. The pages are much clearer than the Belwin book, although that book is larger and just as much a blast to go through. Remember, "never play ragtime fast at any time."
7 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Riverside Cty, Ca.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
November 1, 2007
Terrific
Most fun I've had in years. If you enjoy playing the piano, you'll enjoy this book.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Bill Hutchins
Location: from Park Forest IL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
October 4, 2007
If you like experiencing rag time music This book
If you like ragtime music and are curious about how it is scored, this is the perfect book. Selections are all playable for anyone who loves and spends time practicing keyboard. Joplin's comments and the excercises are especially enlightening.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Doug
Location: from Grass Valley CA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 26, 2007
Schirmer's Joplin book the best
Excellent in every respect. Schirmer publications are great. I love Scott Joplin's ragtime music.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from St. Louis, MO
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 17, 2007
Original Rag Tunes by Scott Joplin
Very enjoyable. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in the rag-time era. For those who are not seasoned pianists, it will take some practice before you really get the pieces down. A good challenge for me.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Pinetop, AZ
August 9, 2007
SCOTT JOPLIN ROCKS!!!
[...] my goal is to learn all the Scott Joplin ragtime pieces b[...] and this is the perfect book for it. if you love ragtime DEFINITELY get this book and his pieces arent really to hard. im not really sure what skill level im at so i cant exactly tell how good you have to be, but I think everyone should at least try it anyways! JOPLIN RAGS ROCK!!!!!
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Atlanta, GA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 20, 2007
Great layout for Joplin's ragtime pieces
I've wanted to have a volume of these numbers for quite sometime. This publication is nicely arranged and the selections can be perused effectively allowing me to choose numbers to study and play at my level of performance ability. I am a singer and clarinetist, but like a challenge on piano.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
David Ihnen
Location: from Pahrump, NV
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
May 25, 2007
Plenty of Ragtime
All of the pieces in this are above my level, but then I'm a rank beginner. I'm working at the original rag and enjoying it, I love ragtime and playing it is rewarding. The book includes practices and is logically laid out - no turning pages during repeat segments, for instance.
6 of 12 people found this review helpful.
S Valentine
Location: from Vancouver, BC Canada
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 25, 2007
Joplin Rocks!
My son is 13 and is obsessed with Scott Joplin. We own the complete works for audio in two versions, and now have your book "The Complete Rags" to read and play along with them. The edition is very clear and well-laid-out, and also reasonably priced. Our only wish now is for Joplin's songs and marches too. Why not a book of the "complete WORKS"?
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Joseph Dacar
Location: from Wilmington, NC
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
April 2, 2007
it is complete
it is complete, other than his opera. I am happy with the remainder with the music.
2 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from San Antonio, TX
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 27, 2007
Great music!
This collection is fun to play and I like Joplin's style. the Schirmer book binding however is a pain in the toosch. It will not stay open even after breaking the spine. I finally took it apart, punched holes and put in a 3-ring binder.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Waukesha, WI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
March 9, 2007
Joplin is for people who are ready for action!
Are you ready to smile for hours, with the enjoyment of fine music? Are you also ready to do a little extra work to master some rhythmic legerdemain? Order this book post haste. Joplin wrote thoughtfully (he was classically trained), and his care shines through every measure. This book even comes with six etudes written by Joplin himself, plus his own explicit instructions on how to perform them. The print is a little small, but still legible. And the music is thoroughly delightful and delectable. Enjoy!
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Megan
Location: from Dayton, OH
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
February 23, 2007
Complete collection
This collection comes with Scott Joplin's notes and tips on how to play his rag time the way it was meant to be played. "Not too fast". Bethena is my favorite piece -- lovely.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Pittsburgh, PA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 21, 2006
Such a joy
Heavan is a piano with a collection of Joplin rags. They are joy to play. Don't let the austere cover of Shirmer which is normally synonomus with plain classical music. This is different.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Han D.
Location: from Calgary, Alberta
July 20, 2006
Joplin in Perspective
Joplin piano rags were all the rage in the early 20th century. His music became famous largely because of the Maple Leaf Rag, which he wrote in honour of the club by name of Maple Leaf. Rag is an early form of jazz music. Rag music features heavy syncopation, an improvised style, and the use of 16-measure long sections called strains. Joplin piano rag music is not difficult music. One should have a quick and large hand, but the technical skills are actually relatively easy. Though simplistic, rag music is highly attractive because of its catchy tunes and swaggering rhythm. While many view rag as an aggressive type of music, it's actually more of a slower, lilting type of music, never to be played too fast. Joplin Piano Rags are a must for any lover of rag music. --Han D., ARCT piano and music theory graduate with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada.
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Columbia River Gorge, WA
Difficulty Level:
Not sure
April 12, 2006
NOT for beginners--or even intermediate
Do NOT buy this book if you are a beginner or intermediate. This is only for advanced players. Buyer beware: Joplin is not easy, or even moderately easy.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
natekunst
Location: from VA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 13, 2006
if you: appreciate ragtime. YOU MUST BUY
wow! I've had this collection of works for a number of weeks at this time, and am continuing to discover wonderful pieces! There are SO MANY scores in this book that it will keep you thumbing through it for months. I've been playing the piano since 5 years old and I was intruiged by the swing/ragtime sound of "The Entertainer", but have since discovered CLASSICS like: "Sugar Cane" (favorite) & "Maple Leaf Rag"! Basically, i just took my time to write you a review/recommendation for this book (free advertising). I guaran-DAMN-tee you'll love this book!
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Steve Katz
Location: from Millington, TN
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
December 10, 2005
Great but Redundant
Many great pieces, especially Maple Leaf Rag. But after a while, they become redundant. He hit on a formula and drove it into the ground. Still, he is an important composer historically who virtually began the Modern Period, and his works are important. But enough is enough. I suggest buying separate editions of Maple Leaf Rag, Ragtime Dance, and maybe one more of your choice. That's enough.
6 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Joplin's #1 fan
Location: from Joplintown
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
October 11, 2005
Scott Joplin rocks the world!
Yeah baby! Catchy tunes easy to put a swing beat into, fun, relatively easy. If your student is bored with Bach and Beethoven, add some ragtime! And you won't have to just play rags that everybody already knows -- this book really does have every single rag Joplin wrote, even the less well known ones, plus six exercises at the end to help students get the hang of the swing beat.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Louise
Location: from United States
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
September 13, 2005
Something worth buying
This book has something others definately don't. Scott Joplin is the greatest rag composer of all time. The book has a huge selection, and the rags themselves are challenging. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves rags. "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag" are my favorite pieces to play.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
patrickd
Location: from MISSISSAUGA, ONT, CANADA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
January 18, 2005
SPECTACULAR
Honestly this book is the best... couldnt have got a better piano book... this is full of joplins favourites.. some easy classics such as original rag which i fancy even though its not an extremely poplular rag. billy joel, eubie blake, james scott... u got nothing on joplins rags....personally i think he is the best ragtime composer
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Portland, OR
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
December 1, 2003
Wonderful
This book is very accurate, and has all of my favorite rags in it. Get ready to have fun!
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Steve S.
Location: from Rock Springs, Wyoming
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
October 8, 2003
Wonderful
I just recently got into the style of music known as ragtime. I always used to hate the sound of it, but playing it is actually very enjoyable. I immediatley wanted more and more ragtime songs, and when I got this book I found them. They have all the rags I could possible want, and they are all fun to play.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Chris
Location: from Singapore
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
May 31, 2003
God In Rag
i enjoy playing scott joplin song... he's really a god in rag... who can compose rag song better than him ?
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
D.Lindsay
Location: from Mount Airy, MD
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 16, 2003
Jammin' to Joplin
Scott Joplin truly was an American genius. One of Joplin's more popular rags- "The Entertainer"- sparked my interest in his music during my early days of learning piano. Now, 30 years later, I am "hooked" on practicing and mastering two of my favorite rags, "The Maple Leaf Rag" and "Elite Syncopations". In these pieces, I find myself making a concerted effort to keep my left hand from knowing what my right hand is up to in order to get it right! G.Shrimer has done a superb job in the layout of the pieces in this collection, clearly facilitating page turns. On a snowy day or on a sunny day, I sit down at my upright piano and play Joplin ragtime- his music lifts my spirits every time!
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Amy
Location: from Orlando, FL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 14, 2003
awesome!
This book is a load of fun. I really needed a break from playing so much classical music, and rag time is what I was looking for. I never get tired of playing Joplin's music. It's a great book to have if you're looking to entertain people.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Brenner Campos
Location: from Cuiaba,Brazil
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
December 22, 2002
Ragtime!
"When get into ragtime,your life changes forever.Whenever I feel disappointed or mad,I always go to my keyboard(Since I don't have a piano because my parents are really low on money)and play one of Scott Joplin's song.It always makes me feel better,and it gets me in the mood for other things too.Of course,ragtime is very hard music to play,unless you practice everyday like I do,and then you get the rythm of ragtime,and it gets easier.
4 of 11 people found this review helpful.
John A. Endries
Location: from Milwaukee WI
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 12, 2002
Catches everyone's attention.....
What Harry Potter is to the young reader, the "Entertainer" is to the budding pianist. Once you hear the music and watch the Oscar-winning movie, "The Sting", you'll want to play every rag from Scott Joplin you can get your hands on! Ragtime music is truly inspirational and the life of the party. With some determination you can move to his wildly popular "Maple Leaf Rag" and the thoroughly enjoyable "Pine Apple Rag". Less demanding, yet quite fun are "The Favorite", "Weeping Willow", and "The Cascades". "School of Ragtime" has the most delightful fingering exercises you will experience and guides you gracefully into Joplin's published works. Catapult your learning experience or that of your child by working through this music while listening to his music on CD! Experience a genre of music by its most prolific composer and appreciate the rich cultural diversity Scott Joplin contributed to American music.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Mike
Location: from Northbrook, IL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
October 12, 2000
Excellent
This has, I believe, all of Scott Joplin's rags. However, many of his pieces are not considered rags, and are therefore not on this wonderful collection. For instance, Solace is considered his most beautiful piece, by most, but it is not a rag (I think its subtitle is "Mexican Serenade" or something"). His marches and dances, such as Rose-bud March, or Bethena, can be found on the title "Scott Joplin/The Best of Ragtime", also a great book.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Tiger Jeebs
Location: from Columbus, Ohio
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
August 17, 2000
Ragtime King.
Scott Joplin was an excellent composer. His music is very different from what most piano students are exposed to. Yet, everyone seems to love his rags. I've been playing several years and very much enjoy Scott Joplin's music. His songs are chanllenging, yet rewarding. The book is fairly inexpensive and has a large grouping of his songs. Best yet, they are un-edited! A must for any Scott Joplin fan!
4 of 12 people found this review helpful.