Maple Leaf Rag on my Player Piano

[Kiyoko504]

Player pianos the very first attempt at what we do now known as fakeing your way to fame

[shanedaman112]

Oh no! its ghost!

:D

[TheKocoon]

Scott Joplin's ghost!

[454Logan]

oh man i wanna know how to do this

[yaghawe]

Only a ninja pianist

[davidjohan99]

Wow....the first guy to try US military cloaking technology and he plays piano!...kewl!

[7492024]

I didn't know ghosts could play the piano!

[sevenDsrule]

Haha I have a stupid American girl doll thing that plays that song from when I was like nine. I found it in the basement an I'm like what's this so I turned it on and it started playing this song. Aaaahhh I like this song. It sounds cute.

[MrHeca2]

harry for rag time  a.k.a a type of song thats happy

[twohund]

Dig that high tech, 19th century technology. 

[Bellairs120466]

Okay...now program it to play Circus Gallop.

[SirBenLee]

Your piano needs tuning...

[alluna]

Is this a Lakeside piano? If so, can I ask what the serial# on the piano is? I have recently acquired an old Lakeside piano, and I am having some trouble with figuring out how old it is. One appraiser told me 1923, but another poster on YouTube said his with the serial #156236 was made in 1922. Ours is serial #140881, so I thought ours would be older than 1922. If this is a Lakeside, would you mind sharing the serial# of your 1922 piano to help me solve the mystery? Thanks!

[shaniring]

These old player pianos amaze me! So iconic of the "old days" and yet at it's height I was reading that as radios became affordable and broadcasts were made more and more entertaining, the piano player industry virtually vanished over night. It's such a crying shame if you ask me because I can't think of anything more genius that's been created in the world of music other than the phonograph and the sound is bad with them. For an instrument invented 100 years ago, it's an absolute marvel. :))

[MrTomt1990]

One flea has got tired and is resting on the top A note!!

[vstavropoulos554]

@toddyvedda

Thank you very much. I've been playing piano for 12 years now and I knew something was off but I couldn't quite place it. Now that you point it out, it's the swing. Also if you notice, the piano is very out of tune and there was a wrong note. Added to this the melody was so exaggeratedly staccato that no human could play the song in such a way and actually be proud enough to make it compatible for a player piano.

[ultimatenerd22]

WITCHCRAFT

[melnoi1]

Woah!!! How did u do that? Hahahahaha

[V1roN]

but.. how am i supposed to appreciate a song played by a machine? isn't it kinda like applauding after a song on the radio?

[poopr1221]

I love the added swing to this version. It's great.

[omalleyandhismusic]

This piano is inarguably out of tune, which is something I find that to be charming and appropriate for ragtime. Ragtime was a style created for honky tonks and bordellos rather than concert halls and academies. As one could assume, these venues' pianos saw little maintenance and a great deal of performance. Some later rags were composed for "prepared piano" wherein the performer was instructed to change the string length in order to "compromise" the piano's tonality. Totally acceptable.

[lolololololmonster]

Look mom.. NO HANDS!

[FrosDOwnz]

It's swung because it's edited.

[toddyvedda]

Sorry, but why the fuck is it swung?

[awkpidgin]

@toddyvedda Why not? Actually if you do some research this is Scott Joplin himself playing, faithfully preserved on Pianola Roll.

[toddyvedda]

@awkpidgin Ragtime is not meant to be swung, this is quite clearly not scott joplin seeing as the rhythm is completely wrong.

[FrosDOwnz]

@toddyvedda It is Scott Joplin before he died of Syphillis. It's swung because Maple Leaf Rag is sometimes played in triplet/shuffle style. Supposedly the roll is 'heavily edited.' As you'll notice the bassline/left hand is more complex than the other rolls and versions. Find the midi of the 1916 piano roll [this one.]

[awkpidgin]

I believe the technical term is the Honky Tonk--the un-tuned piano on which everything sounds terrible except Ragtime.

[julyanation20]

THIS PIANO IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF BEING TUNED.............

[MrJazz56]

@julyanation20 its like almost a whole semi tone out

[TheMeridaBros]

@julyanation20 NO!

[TheMeridaBros]

@julyanation20 BAD DOG!!

[majhiggins]

A little bit deceptive but OK! Love this tune too much to get mad at you dude! Thanks.

[motowncowboy43]

As you listen to these two clasics, realize they have endured over 100 years. Bet todays ipods or the music on them dont last that long. Truely Classic Entertainment!

[hinventon]

call the ghostbusters!!!!!!!

[chiconian49]

@MIRETNAVY

Your mom has a ghost?

[whittyguy]

what is name of the song?

[TheD0RKNIGHT]

@whittyguy mape leaf rag be scott joplin, it says it in the title

[whittyguy]

@TheD0RKNIGHT  Oh yeah.....lol

[ou2538]

Out of tune?

Sounds like it's in G major

But the keys are pressing in A Flat Major...

Never mind, it's a great song on a great piano!

[LadySuit006]

Who ya gonna call?!

[iterlimen]

Maravillosa la pianola.

Enhorabuena...!

[WolvesLeader91]

whats with the "a" note on the right which is always pressed down? ^^its where the ghost put his dick or something ?

[OhYeWithLittleFaith]

@WolvesLeader91 probably stuck

[Piedoom0]

GAH NOT SUPPOSED TO SWING IT

[novahcac]

@Piedoom0 Joplin's version is rediculously swung.

[Piedoom0]

@novahcac Hmm... I don't recall that- Ragtime as I recall is very "proper". Not very fast and not swung at all. But I may be incorrect.

[novahcac]

@Piedoom0 I don't claim to be an expert at all in any way, however the one of scott joplin himself playing it seems swung a bit. i could be horribly mistaken though.

[Piedoom0]

@novahcac We'll call this a draw xD

[novahcac]

@Piedoom0 Even if it wasn't supposed to be, though, I'd still love it. I think representing music in other ways is fun and interesting. I like the things that Lang Lang has done, alot of people do not though.

[Piedoom0]

@novahcac Agreed :D

[jsteeber]

@novahcac I concur.

[nattynatti]

Ow it's amazing!!how the piano can play alone!!?I'd like to see a piano like this!

[Ukrazianation]

one of the keys is stuck

[gigigood1]

and what if it wasn't plugged and it was playing

[grandiosefilms]

eeeek! haha

i wish i could hear this when the piano is.... tuned..

haha

=)

very neat though!!

;)

[NickXDDX]

@grandiosefilms ragtime music sounds better out of tune..

[menace391]

George Gershwin learned two pieces by sitting at a player piano and pretend like he was playing along with the music, now that is cool.

[Nandeshooka]

player piano

[cbkidder]

sounds cool but WAY too fast

[m173627]

@cbkidder

Absolutely not. It's a ragtime, supposed to be lively. Like you can dance to

[JeffHendrie]

@cbkidder Scott Joplin, heared of him? He made this song, therefore, it's fast, because he PLAYED fast, and well. way TOO well.

[musicmandon1]

Now tell me, does this evoke an Old West saloon or not? If you think a bit, you can hear this music, imagine a glass of whiskey, a hand of cards in front of you, and you remember you want to try and hold onto some money so you can try to make time with the girl upstairs. If you read "Lonesome Dove," you probably see where I'm coming from.

[donghyunwon610]

@musicmandon1 lol when i hear this i want to go into a bar and get into a old style bar fight with someone.

[JeffHendrie]

@donghyunwon610 lol

[jaredmcoud]

this reminds me of disney world

[LeeJay07701]

notice the key on the far right stays down the whole time

[jenneske]

lol, that's to cool.

[studman4250]

the song is actually half a step above what was playing in this video

[viktordiaz]

ok, no more ghost jokes.. so.. if its not a ghost.. then probably are a lot of flea jumping on the piano! =O crazy!!

[streetzack]

@viktordiaz yea one flea got tired laying down on the a key lol

[yomipanda21]

@streetzack he's stuck on "A"

[Scorpion1054]

EXCELLENT 

[davehorne]

The first form of digital recording?

[SirCrooner]

The ghost jokes are as old as the player piano. Please stop it.

[spixieangeldust]

Lol player pianos r so fun to watch *-*

[benforshee]

that pianos got to be refurbished all the player pianos ive seen didnt work

[TheUstinovich]

Scott Joplin is black!?

[ryan29073]

@TheUstinovich YES! SO's Jimi Hendrix (OMG!)

[gigigood1]

@TheUstinovich of course he's black

[jmasters24]

Is the high A broken ?!?

[Guitar884]

scott joplins ghost.

[hoeck2008]

Every time I see one of these I want to think that there is a ghost playing the piano but of course I know better.

[hullchipper]

its worth some thing sell it on e bay

[xoxo77100]

is this sheet music worth anything? I unearthed a box full of it today

[NAVRATNA11]

my favourite rag of all time......it sounds so "american" haha!!

[relsqui]

@NAVRATNA11 You're absolutely right--ragtime was some of the first music that was definitively in an American style, blending European and African influences instead of merely copying the former. If you like any of what gets on the radio today, tip your hat to Mr. Joplin.

[runetamers7]

this is a very talented ghost. "Sir, I'd like to do business with you."

[tramway58]

Great tune by Scott Joplin but your piano needs to be tuned!

[thetumbletrio]

The highest octive a key is jammed down the whole time. Look in the video again.

[ZingZee123456789]

The last chord?? : {

[friendsfamilyaccount]

I wish mine were electrified! :D I have a 1926 Weydig but it has only the foot pedals, which is a real workout and it doesn't play as fast as it should. I have this roll also - it sounds great on yours! It's actually Joplin I believe, playing it, if it's the same one I have :)

[mini300bhp]

@friendsfamilyaccount put a hover in it!

[dobbytHebrave]

tjhat's awesome

[ackbomb]

i would like to have this video

[cardboardwalk]

This really makes me think of Mario. But anyway really cool vid! Its awesome when these are used for songs that require multiple pianists.

[Ohadlevi8000]

Moooom!!!! there's a ghost on the piano!!!

[NAVRATNA11]

i like the fact its not perfect, thats what gives it the authenticity and nostalgia! x

[Alfalotter]

I like the ending. lol

[xmadsonx]

Your last "LA" is jammed

[noobicus2]

Isn't the original piece played in Ab? It's hard to tell what key this is playing in, but unless I'm mistaken it's not Ab.

[HersheyBusiness]

awesomeee

[sparkey989]

I need to buy one, some componies still manufacture them...........

[Jschwar7]

Ouch on the last chord... :/ But otherwise really neat! Is this one played by foot treadles or how is it powered?

[wega42331]

HAHAHA no way... sweet!!!

[BobbyJEL101]

was the high 'a' stuck?

[flanflinflan]

omg so cute !!

[ABONESR]

spirits playing?

[xyo68]

Funny song!! XD

[toquecanadian]

WHO YOU GONNA CALL......GHOST BUSTERS!!!!f

[stoneheart92]

this is what people should do to make tutorials of a song in a movie or stuff so i can transcrib it even if you don't have the sheet in pdf

[Angel94angel94]

I'd have had a cup of tea with the ghost

[ToystoryRox27]

i like it nice and fast

[benopolly]

dont tell your friend its a player piano tell hes drops some acid. yeah. its that funny.

[gwed462]

my music teacher can play some of this...

[aledbeii]

this is too fast

[QWNZU]

@aledbeii Not quite. Says the piano roll he made, playing. Not much slower.

[imjjc]

@aledbeii. I agree, this was played too fast. Scott Joplin would even agree. His sheet music even indicates not to "play too fast".

[montezumasrevenge]

OMG!!!! Proof of ghosts!!! Call the authorities

[andreanicolecd]

@montezumasrevenge it's a player piano .. lol

[toskoramone]

@montezumasrevenge Who you gonna call?

[stickmakerman]

@montezumasrevenge naah, there's just lots of real life lag, someone played it and after a while it actually began to play the song xd

[TheCrazycrayola]

i saw the same exact vid in my music class and that is so frigin cool

[graidstin]

the piano is awsome but was the roll recorded by Joplin by any chance

[RayFan10]

Dad!!!There's a ghost on the piano!!!

[ownerfate]

it might be scott back to play once again

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

@RayFan10

A ghost who needs to tune his piano a bit. ;)

[OberstMadig]

@RayFan10

naa, des ist koa Gspenst, des is nur a Kobold, so a ganz kloaner - sieht man am viergestrichenem A was hängt ^^XD

[unknownPLfan]

@RayFan10 obviously you've never heard of a piano roll :P

[pupil1000]

@RayFan10 Yeah the ghost always makes the maple leaf rag the first thing he playes!! lol

[webglider1962]

Great video BTW, love this tune and your player looks terrific

[23jordankicks23]

i would've loved to be a kid during the 1890-1925, anywhere between those dates would've been fine. Times were simpler back then

[Tahlorn]

@23jordankicks23 Except for the lack of current medical knowledge, gender and racial inequality, workman's rights, and so forth. I think it would be a fun time to visit, but not to exist in.

[23jordankicks23]

@Tahlorn i guess you're right, if you got shot in the arm they would put maggots in your arm or cut it off, women stayed in the house, the african americans and chinese were considered the scum of the earth, and people who had factory jobs were working 100 hour weeks and getting paid a few bucks per month. but times were much simpler back then and that is why i would think it would be fun to live in that time (for a little while)

[WhyAyeMann]

every time period has its ups and downs. Its not all good, but its not all bad either. Its been like that since day 1. But you do make a point about workmans rights and medical knowlage and stuff.

[SoupBone22]

Yeah, polio and whoopings from your daddy. Sounds great.

[TheMartinick]

I would like to know what name is painted on the keyboard cover (in gold) and centered directly over the keys. Thank you.

[slapshot759]

looks like it says purcell

[biped1of1pandemonium]

Beautiful! makes me want to hold up a Chicago bank with a Thompson Lol.

[dacasman]

aw there is a stuck key, that sucks =\

[engrish2006]

The straight rhythm sounds just as jazzy, but when you swing it, it sounds a little more edgy. I like! :)

[chickensesame]

why is the highest A depressed the entire time?

[popcorneater53]

@chickensesame because it got stuck

[webglider1962]

Because either theres a supply hose fallen off, or a pouch leak. Simple to fix, but not that essential up in the highest register :)

[TheBagelBrotherz]

I want to get one of these that can hook up to your iPod and can play whatever the fuck you tell it to.

[butterf1yz]

Hey, did you play it on it first to record it? If so, HOW do you do the left hand rolls?

[GenoWhirlGuy]

I have a piano like that, exept it's in horrible condition, its terribly out of tune, and half of the buttons and switches don't work anymore. Other than that, it actually plays pretty well.

[BabyVegeta9000]

Good ol' ragtime days.

[SamBeckett94]

I think I prefer the swung rhythm to the "proper" rhythm. Sound even more catchier!

[TheTelleMusic]

Very beautiful!!!

Since how long play you piano and how much put you studying this music?

[jodyjo27]

this seems so CREEPY BUT COOL at the same at the same time.

[Headshotmaker93]

i want to get such a piano (:

[melonawoo]

SSSPPPAAARRKKKYYY........

[MAS68saxophone]

GHOST!!!!lol

[jci10]

I can picture Don Knotts walking in, seeing the piano play itself and then saying, "ooooohh golleyyyyyyyy..." and then making a beeline out the window...

[mat223899]

that things scary as hell

[NAVRATNA11]

what i love about this is although you can tell the piano is really old and the music might not be perfect that's exactly what makes it so loveable....it's 'cos it's NOT perfect why i like it so much!!!

[NAVRATNA11]

when i win the lottery i want one of these!!!!!!

[litswtsmile]

you don't have to win the lottery actually! I see them on craigslist for as cheap as $50 and works good!

[Zylstra555]

Fun Fact! Scott Joplin absolutely hated player pianos, complaining that it couldn't get the synchronization right.

[Grawperthenerd96]

Player Pianos are so dope! Is there any way of writing your own piece so the piano plays it after?

[Zylstra555]

Revise your statement?

You can make your own player piano piece with a nice long sheet of paper and an exacto knife... this would take an unreasonable amount of time, however.

[loveinmyheart100]

spooky. But a very good invention don't you think?

[groundfirez]

omg!!! a ghost is playing the piano!!! lol jk, player pianos are sooo cool. i want one!

[monkeyfeet36]

how do these pianos work like do you need to plug it in or is it like a motor or something?

[cruddiestcrudever]

The old ones have bellows that you're supposed to pump with your feet, and the air drives a whole lot of pistons for the keys and everything else, looks like this one has an electric motor for the bellows though.

[TheSuperAwesome]

i've got one of those too!

[pianoman80105]

no its not it was composed in e flat major

[Idn42]

It's in the wrong key

[esreagan]

it may just be that far out of tune ha

[tigertrot23]

Can player pianos play piano as well as fortissimo?

[cupcakeflowercrap3]

Love my player piano to :D

[unionville123]

there's on in a near by theatre but it plays rubbish :P

ghastly

[lilblueguy]

You could just get a player piano free at craigslist, you wont believe how many are givin away!

[qazwerty97]

Well, I would say it needs to be tuned, and I would normally like to hear Ragtime in tune, but if you were going for more of a late 19th-early 20th century wild west honky tonk, this sounds just right.

[hellsbells8888]

oh man, i didn't see videos like this one yet :D