Gladiolus Rag- Scott Joplin

[ChopJoplGershw]

Nice job! From one Joplin fan to another.

[13crazycopes]

can this be played slower? it says slow march tempo and i was just wondering :)

[ManilaSyndicate]

Somewhat shaky performance but very nice. I love the second part where the tempo shifts, so moving. Joplin was a genius who ranks with Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin among the great composers for piano.

[Ismokehis]

Excellent! This my favourite Scott Joplin rag

[huflpuf]

:) I played it last night and people wanted to know which one it was. We all love it.

[carolchill]

I wish the sound quality is better because I really like this piece of music and I like the way you play it

[woodswalker]

@carolchill kind of makes it sound like a record though.

[westfield90]

Superb

[vladinho7]

very good i realy enjoyed this. keep playing you are good

[danielzandbergen]

lovely!

[danielzandbergen]

lovely!

[IgorTheClown]

lol... "Sorry there was no YouTube in the 80s"

Yeah, its odd that his later works aren't as popular. I can completely see what you meant when you said he later evolved as composer. I'm kind of curious what he could have become had he lived longer, and was more exposed to a wider variety of composers like Rachmaninoff and stuff. By the way, did he write any "darker" stuff?

[Squarerig]

HuffPuff If this is how you play when NOT in practice then how do sound when up to scratch and in fine fettle?Excellent performance.Thank you for your effort.

[huflpuf]

Wow, thank you. Let me explain. I was at my best by 1989, and afterwards no longer was practicing regularly. When I recorded THIS, I'd just spent an entire year out of the country! I know that people say I should practice and repost, but that is in the future, so I wanted to capture what was left of the past before more of it degenerated! But thanks-- I am encouraged and have started reading through the other rags I used to play. :-)

[wolfieuk]

you bring a legend back to life. MORE plz

[huflpuf]

much appreciated (gee!)

Sorry not to be much in practice at the moment. It will take me a while to relearn everything I used to play years ago. Glad people are appreciating the remnants I post here.

[MusicGuru12]

Well played!.

Is this a fairly easy piece to play? I can play Maple Leaf Rag. How does this compare?

Thanks :)

[huflpuf]

It is similar! Some need to be accurate in spread-out chord clusters in r.h., but it does compare to M.L. Good luck!

[cebukid70]

Great job! I very much a Joshua Rifkin fan too. Your version has its own flavor - more bouncy!

[huflpuf]

Thank you much1

[keiichi189]

Enjoyed this a lot! How much did that Steinway cost you?

[huflpuf]

Dunno--- it was my housemate's. :)

[MrDashey8]

Very well played! :D

However, Ragtime is not suppose to be played fast!

X

[huflpuf]

Yes I know, that was a finger error. :) I went on anyhow.

[huflpuf]

oops, I meant that to answer the comment below.

Yes, I know about SJ's caveat. :> (But have you heard the later parts of his OWN recording of the MLR? Makes you wonder!)

[Averilli1]

Mistake at 0:30 sorry I am fussy lol no playing the same note >:D its a cadence

[huflpuf]

Yes I know, that was a finger error. :) Sorry.

[Averilli1]

No its all right your the one actually playing it :)

[huflpuf]

At least you recognized how it is supposed to go!

[TheCinemaization]

Great playing.

[huflpuf]

Thanks. I'm glad so many people are enjoying the piece.

[TheCinemaization]

Sounds sort of like the Maple Leaf Rag.

[huflpuf]

Thanks. It was just a small camera left on a table. I do have access to mikes but no longer access to that particular piano. When I get settled I can try again with a mike on my own piano.

[bonerici]

u need to replay this with better microphone placement. I like your feeling for the piece, try again with better sound please!

[huflpuf]

Ow, sorry to hear. (I have carpal tunnel but piano is ok-- it's stringed instruments that are the trouble.)

[ensign962114]

Wish I didn't have arthritis, used to play the piano...

Well done, thank you. kwd...

[Jonehz0r]

Funny, the run in the beginning section reminds me of maple leaf rag. I would have to say this is a beautiful ragtime song but it doesnt display much emotion. In other words its really bubbly and bouncy song xD

[RoulaSilvy]

you know why it reminds you of the maple leaf rag? because i is a maple leaf rag clone. just like the sugar cane. if you listen closely theyre both of the same family. Scott Joplin, wat he did was take the maple leaf rag, his first song, and he changed a few notes but remained in the same ladder.

[SmartStart24]

Ah! Wow! cool, never noticed that! I have to listen to all three again. You can hear those repeating chords in the middle, just like in Maple Leaf!

[johnnyzing]

Love your tempo.....being a drummer and knowing the power of steady tempo....at 2:40sec pull back on the left hand pickup notes and sit in the tempo.....This will add to the power of the piece....you rushed the last section and lost what you set up in the beginning. Re-Record it after practicing those powerful pickup notes and sit in the tempo. Let the piece finish itself...you need not rush to the finish. Revel in the last section like you never want it to end.

John-hans melcher

[Fixnitup]

So enjoyed your rendition !!! I've played Joplin on church organs, ... accordions ... and yes ... even pianos. Love the tempo and style ..... BRAVO !!!

[gurnblanston24]

this is my favorite joplin rag right now

[Senefleder55]

scott joplin's song is really great

his songs really practice your eyes and finger-fast moving :)

[pignanelli]

Sooo awesome... would love to hear a good recording of that!

[art2art]

You sound great. Very clean, especially on the 8ves! Not too fast, not "over-interpreted," just right. I like when people let the music speak for itself! Beautiful piece!

[huflpuf]

Well, music started to go from first the marching bands and then ragtime to stride piano (e.g. Fats Waller) and blues scale influenced pieces (Jelly Roll Morton), to Dixieland Jazz in the 1920s... Pardon me if this is off as I am typing it from memory without checking wikipedia... >:)

[huflpuf]

Thanks. Okay, I guess I'll turn ratings on-- should have done this years ago, I guess, since people wish it. :)

[TolsmaLMC]

Thanks for posting! Great job playing...I'm going through a 1910's phase with music. I don't play any instruments, but I'm wondering what types of music would have been popular from 1910-1920. Is rag the main type of music that was popular then? Was the music of the 1910's much different from the 20's?

[josiah566]

I would say that from 1910-1920s the dominant form of music would be ragtime, although support for it began waning at about 1913 in favor of jazz. I am not quite sure myself, but that's what most of my sources tell me. Anybody able to confirm?

[panther8000]

i believe there was a nice bit of jazz around then, but i'm unsure :D

[shplups]

Very good. I wish I could give you a 5 star rating!

[boowoojo]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting it! I first heard the tune by Joshua Rifkin in the 80s and it really "hit" me. Now it hits me again by your playing. Its beautiness moves me to tears! Great music!

Greetings from Jo from Bremen

[huflpuf]

Wow, I was reading this most wonderful comment and then saw that it had been sitting two weeks awaiting approval. (Somehow the notice didn't email me this time...) I am delighted you reenjoyed it after first hearing it in the 80s by Rifkin as I did. (And I was also glad to see where you are from.) THANKS!

[huflpuf]

Hi-- Er, I think I last used sheet music for this more than 25 years ago! Luckily, unlike the couple of Joplin's pieces with copyright issues, you shouldn't have a hard time finding it published in complete collections...

[iamsorrydude]

Would it be possible for you to send me the sheet music?

If not, I understand, so don't worry too much about it.

[huflpuf]

Thank you. Gee, this is great- I've been busy with other things than piano, yet meanwhile people can enjoy this piece through the internet.

[buffalocrotch]

Damn, you're good.  Nice job!

[huflpuf]

I'd had five years of once-a-week classical lessons at that point. Then I came across some recordings of Joplin and Rifkin. I had sheet music for reference, but almost instantly memorized and practiced the rags on my own, improving somewhat for several more years.  Good luck to you.

[gulgul2006]

This is mechanically sound for sure. Check out Chocotiger's posts.. he's really disgusting.. you are plenty awesome but choco is rediculous.. seriously... BTW how did you get to the point of recording this vid? Lessons,school,ear,etc... I am unfortunately illiterate and have only my ear. I can do entertainer B+ and the first 90 seconds of maple leaf c+ and I am now picking up solace (which is shaping up to be easier) but you're basically playing it virtuoso... what led up to that level?

[lavampire]

I'm Jealous!!!

[huflpuf]

Uh, I was extremely motivated, and I had already learned the Maple Leaf, so it wasn't hard for me, though I played better after more years of practice after learning it. Try slowly and keep at it... Good luck, and glad to inspire others to try it! (This video is just a snapshot of where I was after not getting to play for a while, before I lost ALL skills...)

[juliaCSL]

nice and good tempo to me! im thinking of learning this rag. is it hard? how long did it take you to learn?

[Chnarles]

I disagree with Doug, I think your tempo is perfect. Rifkin generally does play with extraordinary refinement but I think his recording of Gladiolus lacks enough energy. Other comments about bringing the left hand down a bit and the varying the dynamics are valid.

[illidnarg]

Although you're entitled to you're opinion---i would like to bring to you're attention that Rifkin's 1970 version of Gladious is THE ALBUM that started THE WHOLE JOPLIN REVIVAL---Piano RAGS by Scott JOPLIN--Rifkin is a music Scholar and he plays according to JOPLIN'S OWN School of Ragtime(1908)Joplin published it HIMSELF so we would ALWAYS AND FOREVER KNOW that it was HIM SPEAKING---before Rifkin's 1970 album it was JOPLIN WHO???

[huflpuf]

I haven't heard JR's recording since borrowing a cassette in 1980, so I guess I should again sometime. (But I have not practiced in recent years- had other things going on. This video was taken several years ago, too!)

[Doug19752533]

Youre playing this rag a little too fast. a tempo of 65 is perfect. also sounds like you are playing some wrong notes. when you start the C section (in D flat) its too loud - the marking in the music is messo piano, and its a very slow gradual build up to the climax of the D section. Gladiolus Rag is perhaps Joplin's best crafted piano rags, and it is very majestic. Listin to Joshua Rifkin's version several times.

[huflpuf]

Yes, when I first heard the beginning... but then each later section goes somewhere completely new and wonderful...

[millyandbuttons]

does anyone else think that sounds very alike to Maple Leaf Rag?

[Doug19752533]

Yes Joplin used the formula from the Maple Leaf in several rags: The Cascades, Leola, Sugar Cane Rag, and Gladiolus Rag all use the same model.

[jeffxl]

They do, and it's because they're in the same key. Sometimes I mix up the two, and play the A section of Maple Leaf, followed by the B section of Gladioulus.

[anonyms404]

I'm sorry - I have to disagree here ...unfortunately I first listend to 90% of Joplin's music via Joshua Rifkin...and if you listen to Rifkin's perfection - it ruins all other versions. My good man - you don't emphasize the subtleties that need emphasizing - and you just bang your way through it. Those who mention Rifkin really should emulate his emotion brought to Joplin's masterpieces.

[huflpuf]

Sorry to disappoint. I've played with more rubato and sensitivity at times-- each time is influenced by what the mood is at the moment. (This was, I think, right after recording the ML, so that was that mood) Do you have a vid somewhere?

[FREEASTHESTARS]

omg I love this rag that was a job well done! I really want to learn it now I'm sorry to say this, but I'm another person now you made want to play this :p

[x0jeannieloveexx]

also at around 2:40 you speed up just a tad, it could be because it's your favorite part and you get excited but keep the tempo nice and steady like it was before:)

[x0jeannieloveexx]

this tempo is perfect. you do a spectacular job of making the right hand sing, especially when going up high, meanwhile making the left hand nice and strong but not too overpowering and drowning out the right hand. however i think you can even bring the left hand down even more and bring the right hand out more. sounds great!! you made me want to learn this piece, before seeing your video i never even heard of the gladiolus rag, now i can't wait to learn it!!

[huflpuf]

Gee, thanks for the in depth details. :) I'm delighted that yet another person now wants to learn it... yay! :D This is too cool.  Enjoy!

[noodlecrazeet]

Great Job! You play really well! I would give it a 5/5!

[huflpuf]

I'm glad everyone's enjoying this so- thanks!

[huflpuf]

I'm glad everyone's enjoying this so- thanks!

[unabanger]

superb performance :) what a pity the Audio is terrible.......

[huflpuf]

Gosh thanks. Sorry, I just stuck a digital camera on the couch and left it running... <:\

[nepenthenicole]

wonderful job hflpuf! keep playing, you have an awesome gift, and obviously aren;t afraid to work hard to perfect your art...fight the good fight! ~a grfndor

[huflpuf]

Gosh, thanks, that's encouraging (particularly to someone who is busy with work and doesn't practice often nowadays. Thanks, grfndor! >;)

[westfield90]

Superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[huflpuf]

Thanks! Comments like this reminded me to play today and keep in shape... :)

[Shiro322]

dude are you scott himself or what, u play so good i cant just belive it. i get stuck when i try this al the time :)

[huflpuf]

Why thank you. It's really heartening after playing for hours alone at age thirteen and unable to tell the composer that I loved his works, and now having people enjoy it. Well, keep plugging away slowly and eventually your brain will build the proper pathways to manage it. Good luck!

[rotunda57]

You can't completely disable the ratings. 5 stars.

*****

[huflpuf]

<:}

[catafalgico]

Me too I'm a Scott Joplin's fan. You played it just (almost) like how I heard from the cd I have, where Joplin himself was playing!

[huflpuf]

Wow. That makes me happy.

[mzltv]

Play it like Gluck!

[riley501111]

I like the way you play this. It's one of my favorite's by Joplin. Maple Leaf Rag is another favorite (and yes, to earlier poster, the two songs do sound somewhat alike. Ragtime, especially when written by same composer, does tend to do that.)

[huflpuf]

Thanks! It's nice to see so many people listening to something I learned long ago with no audience.

[Shiro322]

Cool, but in some way it sounds a little laik maple leaf rag still good!:)

[theragtimefan]

You play it very well!

[Onigos2]

:( all rags from scott joplin sound very similiar to eachother

[tgirlmegaly]

No ! No ! No !!! the contrary is true !!!

[huflpuf]

Danke! :)

[huflpuf]

Some of them are indeed isomorphic and almost insipid, but his later works show some progress. Some of them aren't played or found often because the copyrights keeps them out of anthologies.

[theragtimefan]

Well you think it is because I will bet you don't play it. But if you play ragtime you eventually realize they sound very different! I used to think the same thing until i started playing it.

[Onigos2]

well i play piano and there are some sound paterns which are similiar

[cuthbertdrinkwater]

Superb. I could listen to this music for hours.  B

[theragtimefan]

Ditto!!!

[lavampire]

Scott Joplin -- Great America composer (period)!!!

[TheRagtimePrince]

Joplin didn't write "jazz" music as you've tagged it, he saw himself as Classical composer...just to point that out. You should play it a bit slower with a bit of rubato, it really makes all the difference.

[huflpuf]

True. (But 'jazz' on a tag brings in viewers doing time travel. >;-) I'm glad you said this, because I used to really overdo the rubato once upon a time, having come into ragtime after playing a lot of exaggerrated rubato on Chopin... I have to fight not to do that too much. Well, will try another round soon...

[MANFROMMARS46]

You are right, he's closer to Chopin and Liszt than jazz. Of course there is the influence of marching band music as well.

[huflpuf]

Yes! I could play the third section forever, especially from the part going into its replay.  It sounds so complex with those harmonies you note-- I was amazed that a lot of it was just from the thumb notes.

[salexlindsay]

Yeah, this is a unique piece, the harmonies in the third section are beautiful and original.

[nicolejustin]

cool!!

[machaeroguy]

Terrific! Thanks for posting!

[brad1567]

very good sounds similar to maple leaf rag

[andykoehler]

nice... gave me a few ideas about how I can play this song better... thanks!

[ouirv]

Beautiful! I've been trying to decide which Joplin piece to tackle next, and even though I've heard recordings of Gladiolus many times, your rendition may have inspired me to learn it. Thanks for a really nice performance.

[huflpuf]

Aw, you made my day!! (or longer.) I am so glad to share.

[ugnex3]

steinways sure do have a beautiful tone.

[latibes]

Excellent playing

[huflpuf]

Oh, thank YOU! I've been playing this piece since age 13 and usually had nobody around to enjoy it. >:)

[leoseries]

Very nice. Thank you.