The Strenuous Life - Scott Joplin

This is a two-step rag by Scott Joplin. I seem to play it slower than most recordings I've heard.

A sweet rendition of this piece is performed on classical guitar by Gangly1 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSvqseMDoEA#

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Music

Tags:

• strenuous
• life
• joplin
• piano
• rag
• ragtime
• weeping
• willow
• scott
• solo
• cover
• jazz
• new
• orleans
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• band
• orchestra
• honky
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• steinway
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• cakewalk
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• instrumental
• vocal

[rayplee]

how long did it take to play that song like this? i m playing this song too. and its really complicated...

[GreenHat9]

@rayplee I learn very slowly because I have really poor sight reading ability. It might have taken me two weeks to learn 16 measures, and a month or two to learn to play the piece. Then another couple of months to learn to play it with feeling. This isn't an easy piece. Thanks for writing.

[Doug19752533]

i think you play it very well. i play it maybe just a few beats per minute faster, take the B section repeat and octave up. but yours is really nice. we have the same joplin book lol

[GreenHat9]

Thank you! I agree with you, a little faster would be good. By the way, I have listened to your Joplin performances and enjoyed them very much. I hope you post more of your lovely playing on YouTube.

[wildUncleJohn]

This is probably my favorite Joplin rag and I love the way you play it. The tempo is just right for allowing me to hear all the wonderful subtleties of the piece. My other favorite is A Breeze from Alabama, have you posted that?

[GreenHat9]

Thank you for your kind words. I just looked at A Breeze from Alabama - looks good in score, I'll add it to my "to do" list.

[43Meyrick1]

Please don't play it any faster!

[MrRagtimefan]

Very good playing! this is my favourite version of strenuous here on youtube.

funny that you wrote you play it slower than others.....because i play it slower than you :D go on with this wonderful playing

[rdcoddington]

You do very well! I'm probably about your age and I'm teaching myself piano. I understand.

[MsYellowbucket]

At this kind of music, I always have the feeling to be in a saloon in the wild west. :)

[bruckner1]

You're playing at a great tempo here - it really brings out the wistfullness which is a part of Joplin's character ( I think). Great job!

[glyn001]

I personally think it is nice to hear Scott Joplin's music being played at this slower tempo. So many people think ragtime should be played at breakneck speed - it was never meant to be like that. I love the way you play "Solace". Very well done - thanks for posting these pieces on youtube.

[jetibest]

no need to play it faster, this tempo is very nice.

[wwwdotcomedy]

You said in the description that your rendition is slower than other versions, but on my copy of the sheet music it says "not fast" at the top, so you've probably got it about right!

[jonnydelajonny]

I like it...i have learned that in 1week ...very much work !

[SmokeyTheWarrior]

It's still VERY good on the slow side ;D

I'm 15 and almost have the final page learned. (ALMOST THERE) Great fun!

One of my favourite songs to play.

Maple Leaf rag is a MUST on my to-do list