"Pineapple Rag" Tom Brier Playing

[@otterpops85]

This guy plays it right.. I like his steady rhythm. Most people have this annoying tendency to let their rhythm fluctuate when playing rags.

[@Gruskinator]

@@UberSynth i don't feel that comment was necessary

[@mrarab5125]

Zac Dior yea fuck off with that what the fuck are you trying to say

[@lucasg.5534]

@@UberSynth What the fuck is your problem

[@koodoin6310]

Zac Dior your honesty a dick for that

[@Ronan266]

Zac Dior even with him being in wheelchair, he still produces music better than your shit

[@isambo400]

After hearing Tom play this rag, I think it is actually as good a rag if not better than Maple leaf. 10/10 will watch again. Right now.

[@aidangittings]

isambo400 nothing beats maple leaf. My favorite one to play is peacherine, but maple leaf by far impressed more

[@justina9914]

@@aidangittings nothing beats the goldberg variationen

[@bencarter8324]

@CarnivoreZealot But Maple Leaf is the most popular rag of all time

[@Pablo-xj3fr]

@CarnivoreZealot Maple leaf rag is orgasmic for our ears. Sorry, but your commentary is just an opinion. I don't feel like ur right. I prefer maple.

[@tommyl.dayandtherunaways820]

@CarnivoreZealot Thanks to you I now have a backlog of ragtime music to download and add to my ever growing playlist

[@loisgraham5677]

I think Tom Brier has earned the top spot among players of real authentic ragtime today.

[@isambo400]

Lois Graham well not anymore, but he was amazing

[@dubbydub9245]

isambo400, he still is amazing. He just can't play. Mozart is still amazing. Best wishes to Tom and his family.

[@TheAvenstar]

Brier's a good pianist, but "Top spot.?" Let's not go crazy here. He's nowhere near threatening top spot.

[@POCCNRCKNbY]

Al Anton I respectfully disagree.

[@TheAvenstar]

@Tabourba Hello. I was never at Brier's speed at any point: For technicality alone, I'm not there anymore at age 75. For rhythm, and feeling I AM still right up there; however, for the entire package I suggest Martin Spitznagel, or Adam Smith, or even Max Keenlyside for a Maple Leaf Rag that is FABULOUS ...or Brooklynskipper87 for the Pineapple Rag. This is my opinion. You have yours. My previous comment was meant for folks who over-praise something for reasons of their own.

[@verybigrifle]

Tom has told me that the "Music will dictate the tempo", and he plays it like he feels it............VBR

[@vojtasjedyny]

I agree. This tempo is great. Slow is too slow for my taste. This is probably a heresy, but... oh well. ;)

[@PMoney365]

+verybigrifle This tempo is wonderful. This is such a happy song it needs to be upbeat.

[@dubbydub9245]

Yep. In another video he discovers the original Mario theme is actually a tango. You've just never heard it before. Once he falls into that tempo with it, *mind blown.*

[@andrewbarrett1537]

The original sheet music gives the markings "Slow march tempo" and "quarter = 100" (in 2/4 time).

[@jillwiig]

Tempo is really important in music I agree that the tempo is great

[@smuffjules]

Well, everyone may well play him, but not with this kind of groove and control. This is absolutely first class.

[@eelectron9582]

Anyone who saying "Joplin says to play it slow" is absolutely correct. BUT dont forget. this is in 2 4, and this is quite an ok speed (In my opinion) if one looks at the music the tempo markings can seem quite fast. In this case tom is only playing at around 140 bpm. Joplin just didnt want people to play ragtime as fast as possible to show off.

[@noonehere0987]

This isn't even close to 140 bpm. It's waaay closer to 100bpm. The left hand is doing eighth notes. Get a metronome and time it to the low left hand notes. This is a perfect speed for this song. This is absolutely the speed of a slow march.

[@Aaron-yh1vf]

Joplin actually said Ragtime shouldn't be played fast, never said anything about playing it slow lol

[@Aaron-yh1vf]

@Tabourba Tom plays everything right. And I never said this was slow? lol I was just responding the person above.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

quarter = 100 is actually the tempo marking on the score.

[@crashraynor]

@@andrewbarrett1537 actually that's a publisher's suggestion, Joplin notably didn't give much info on tempo. The original score for the entertainer for example says "Not Fast" lol which really isnt very helpful

[@michaelporter6720]

Every time. Tom makes everything he plays sound better it's original. Every time.

[@aggelosk3013]

Micheal how do you know how Joplin played it ??

[@TV-fu1ec]

I sent this to my grandson who is studying piano. He plays the pirates of the Caribbean theme. Thought he might like this. He did. And is learning it. Great inspiring version here 👍

[@verybigrifle]

Nice. I hope he learns it well.........VBR

[@bencarter8324]

By far the best performance of this classic rag.

[@mosquitoastt]

Oooh... the way he plays makes me want to get up and jump all around. I keep rewinding this and watching it over and over just because it sounds so good :D

[@bencarter8324]

Tom Brier's magic touch.

[@joeywomer]

I love Tom’s playing style. It’s sounds so upbeat and bouncy.

[@thomasver975]

How could anyone compete with that......perfect....

[@makim6512]

Tempo

[@krispy432]

Easily the best version of this on youtube. The left hand articulation is wonderful.

[@vaughn4613]

Best performance in my opinion

[@loisgraham5677]

Raised my right off the chair! Now I.am lighter thsn air!I haven't a single care.That kind of talent--is RARE!

[@thrippleton]

I reckon this is about the right tempo for this piece.

[@twamley]

I'm just looking at the sheet music to this and it says 'do not play this piece fast ,it is never right to play ragtime fast, composer. Slow March tempo 100 which does seem ridiculously snow, about the metronome time I would practice the piece in.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

twamley No, they mean "100" for beats one and two in 2/4 time (beats one and three if counted in 4/4 time), i.e. the bass notes.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

In 1908, "fast" meant Mike-Bernard-speed, i.e. "presto" or exhibition tempo.

[@Cyrus_got_verified]

Andrew Barrett so what is the tempo of this song?

[@yoshi_drinks_tea]

Super Chill Gamer Around 100 - 120 bpm

[@GhostlyFac3]

Tom is just a legend at piano. Hope he plays again soon

[@dougmilne8425]

I've only recently come across the posts of this terrific pianist and had no idea he can no longer play like that due to a car accident. As an earlier contributed commented life can be so cruel. Here's to a speedy recovery Tom.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

He will never recover, unfortunately.

[@JWATization]

This is how ragtime is supposed to feel. Constant rhythm with the countermelodies hitting every accent. Perfection.

[@UberSynth]

Great pianist. Since the accident, he's lost a lot of his ability. It's a cruel world 🗺

[@MarcusDelzell]

Zac Dior accident..?!

[@UberSynth]

@@MarcusDelzell yeah he was involved in an car accident. He can't play like this anymore unfortunately.

[@RKPiano-vi8fq]

Oh no! That’s sad. 😞😞

[@jojotv5345]

What a shame... What I wouldn't give to be able to play like him...

[@Monster404ftp]

@@UberSynth He's getting better, is starting to get some mobility back in his hands and moved out of the nursing home; he is now in a neurological rehabilitation center so hopefully sometime in the next few years he'll have his ability back.

[@verybigrifle]

Your assessment is spot on. Tom specializes in obscure rags that haven't seen public playing since probably the RAGTIME ERA......HE has several thousand copies of SHEET MUSIC in his Collection. Probably half originals and the rest copies....Since a LOT of players do Joplin at FESTIVALS, he doesn't bog down the audience with hearing them again. AND he can just grab a case full of music for the festival, and he may run through a song and he is ready to perform it. Thanks.......VBR

[@SevenPlus65]

A piano from that era....Only adds to the beauty of Tom's playing!

[@SERGE_OBELISK]

Perfect👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@luisvarela8638]

One of the best versions.

[@Duciorci]

This is the definitive recording of Pineapple Rag. All subsequent recordings will be mere footnotes to Tom Brier.

[@Verdeazulgris]

I just can't help it moving my body when I play this rag😂 I'm glad I'm not the only one 😍

[@louf7178]

I'm not qualified to say that was awesome.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Don’t let critics and snobs make you think you’re never entitled to express your opinion about your own personal feeling / reaction to a piece of music.

[@Artisticmonkey2]

It was indeed awesome, the man’s a marvel :)

[@KawhackitaRag]

PERFECT TEMPO!

[@stephenparkinson5303]

Very nicely rendered, so nice to hear it played with feeling and not as a stomp - Hats off to you Tom.

[@flipperfish7]

Can you imagine being that good you nail an absolute banger like this 🙌

[@PiotrBarcz]

The first time I saw Brier playing was this video, this is almost like a monument for me.

[@victorsanchez-nf7zo]

This guy knows how to play Ragtime! Awesome :)

[@lja1993]

I've just finished a playthrough of rdr2 and I feel like I've just walked into a saloon

[@raskinblog]

Classic Rag. And a much needed interpretation of Mr. Joplin.

[@verybigrifle]

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed Tom's playing of it....VBR

[@anthonyodonnell6105]

A great rag played beautifully. One of my favorites. I agree with what someone said elsewhere in the thread: that Tom said, the music dictates the tempo. I believe that wholeheartedly about Joplin's works. Nailed it here in that respect.

[@williamclark6466]

Beautiful. Thank you Tom and VBR.

[@jasonsnyder4805]

Bravo Mr. Brier , you play this piece at the perfect tempo I feel ! You are perfection .

[@verybigrifle]

He is out of Sacramento CA..... He has a Full Time DAY job, and he does this for pleasure.... He is a featured Performer at Ragtime Festivals on the WEST COAST of US, has CD'S for sale, and 3 music folios of some of the 225 compositions he has written.....Thanks for watching.....Search on MY CHANNEL, TOM BRIER and i have dozens of video's of Tom performing.........VBR

[@averageo2343]

I always like to see musicians playing with soul

[@aidangittings]

Only time I’ve ever seen him play a song with minimal to no improvisation

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I cannot and should not speak for Tom; BUT I have a feeling that in this case, it means he REVERES every note of this as written so much, that he would not change it. I *think* he might flesh out the bass a little bit, but other than that it sounds like the score, but with his inimitable ‘bounce’ and also clarity in highlighting the part-writing. This performance isn’t Tom just playing another tune; I can tell he’s brought his “A game” to this performance.

[@bencarter8324]

@@andrewbarrett1537 Such wisdom Andrew. You are spot on.

[@verybigrifle]

Glad you enjoy and yes it is for that tune about as good as it gets.........I agree....VBR

[@bobbyfellman550]

The chorus of this is only of a kind of melody that can be listened to with a pure heart. As in when you hear it it’s impossible for it not to bring out you as you. It’s heavenly, it’s beautiful.

[@verybigrifle]

Even the people that played that piano liked it.....The tone of it actually.......Yes the carved wood is nice, compared to the sterile cabinets of the ones today! Thanks for comments.......VBR

[@verybigrifle]

@krispy432 Glad you enjoyed Tom's performance.......He does a masterful job on the tune ...........Thanks for your comment.........VBR

[@popcornpiano7930]

Wonderful!

[@MrDanHatton]

Great, Tom Brier is a legend!

[@leonardocruz952]

That was sublime !!!!

[@Chris246t8kr]

One of my favourite rags from Joplin. Thanks for uploading this, the only time I've heard Tom play it was the "3 pianos on fire", which was INCREDIBLE, but obviously wasn't Tom playign it solo. Thanks VBR :-)

[@kerrygivens]

What more can be said? Pineapple was Joplin at the peak of his popular rag composing abilities. Let's not dwell on his typically perfunctory intro since the rest of the rag just shines with melody and invention. The individual movements compliment each other perfectly, and consequently the piece just hums with that unmistakable Joplin confidence and feeling of jubilation. The PIneapple is really one of his best, even if there is absolutely nothing in the tune that conveys a sense of the bulky fruit in the title. (Aside: many years ago, I once competed at a ragtime piano festival in Pennsylvania. All entrants had to perform one of two compulsory pieces--- the Maple Leaf Rag, or this. I was somewhat amazed to see everyone opt for Maple Leaf. My memory ain't what it used to be, but I don't remember a single pianist offering up Pineapple that day). I wish I had seen Tom Brier when he was still performing. The generous video depository of his performances found on KZbin tells the story however. He was a wonderfully gifted player with celebrated sight-reading abilities. I agree with some other commentators here--- he likes to play fast. Since he rarely hits any wrong notes, it's hard to be too critical.... if you got it, flaunt it. A lot of Joplin's most popular rags bearing the composer's dire warnings about up-tempo performance actually hold up well at break-neck speeds.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I hate making these kinds of comparisons between pieces, but although “Maple Leaf” was very advanced for its day and head and shoulders (technically and compositionally) above nearly every other published rag from before and the same year, and although this could never have been created without “Maple Leaf” first being published and becoming a success, IMO “Pine Apple” is better balanced, richer, deeper, and more of a real masterpiece. When I hear only one rag played, and it is “Maple Leaf”, no matter how anyone plays it etc., as good as it is, I am always personally left wanting for balance. For me, “Pine Apple” is balanced and complete in itself and needs nothing, as Tom’s performance so capably points out.

[@jasonsnyder4805]

Holy cow Tom oh, your talent is so amazing thank you for sharing this I truly love this song at this Temple. It is perfect you are perfect when you play piano

[@andymassingham]

Why is this so moving? Wiping tears away.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

This rag also makes me cry on occasion. I believe it is the way Joplin uses the iv chord (minor four) in such a subtle and yet very affecting way, throughout this ostensibly happy piece. There are also blue notes in the third theme, which was several years before “the blues” became something of which the white public were more aware.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

It’s like the sadness reinforces and bolsters the happiness and makes it much, much stronger, deeper and honest.

[@turbomotor007]

Wonderful ! Greetings from Brazil

[@RKPiano-vi8fq]

I love the tempo.

[@eddriver7815]

Ahhhhhh ... i see THE STING ... and my heart feels good !😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@verybigrifle]

@LudwigVonKoopa64 Off hand, I can only remember Tom PLaying Joplin with OTHERS as a DUO or more. Iv'e heard "Maple Leaf" with "Sonny" Leyland and also "Original Rags" with same. "Swipsey" he plays with Virginia Tichenor. Some even ask if Tom CAN play Joplin. He can play ANY RAG. Tom specializes in not often heard or EVER, since Ragtime era plus his OWN tunes, and let's others play the same stuff over all the time. Thanks for comments .....VBR

[@tomaserincasablancalarocqu5086]

Also I see a Hunter Passport lll Ceiling fan in the background!

[@teleman07]

Looks a lot harder than Maple Leaf considering the piano god's attention and effort while playing this.

[@verybigrifle]

@isambo400 Yes, the skill Tom brings does make it great.....Glad you found it entertaining........Thanks for the comment......VBR

[@passat992]

brilliant piano playing love to listen.

[@verybigrifle]

@Keeper1st Thanks for the info Ron. I have to check out the "Leola" on on Chip's site. I HAVE heard YOUR capture in the Ice Cream shop of "Maple Leaf" in those 3 other Keys. But i had forgotten.......Have trouble remembering ANYTHING... I will look forward to him playing "Sugar Cane" in Tom's take no prisoners style ! ...VBR

[@realkoko-loco]

😢❤👏

[@aidangittings]

I like the many fellow sophisticates in these comments.

[@alexvorhaus3330]

Great playing

[@verybigrifle]

Thanks for watching and commenting.....VBR

[@Kermellia]

! Perfect !!!!!!

[@kaymuldoon3575]

This guy is amazing.

[@verybigrifle]

Yes he is. I have maybe 100 video's of him playing over maybe 11 years. Browse my channel for MORE Tom Brier plus others playing Ragtime and Jazz Piano. kzbin.info?feature=mhw5 Thanks........VBR

[@aidangittings]

I learned the maple leaf rag first. Never understood why people liked it so much. It’s interesting but it doesn’t have that happy tone. I like this and others much more, such as the peacherine rag

[@bencarter8324]

Right, Maple Leaf doesn't give off the incredibly happy vibe except for the final strain. That's a reason why it's good though. The first three strains are so chaotic and sort of create a sense of stress and once the final strain hits, you feel as if the stress has left and you overcame your worries.

[@RKPiano-vi8fq]

He definitely plays it better than I do. I’m jealous!!!

[@_glacies192]

This tempo is fast...but this is great!!

[@threydrey328]

Some people are just amazing at stuff dude...

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

[@verybigrifle]

@trainwatcher411 Type CDBaby into google, then Tom Brier in their search window, and you can purchase several.....VBR

[@verybigrifle]

@Chris246t8kr Glad you enjoyed it Chris............THanks for the comments. VBR

[@Keeper1st]

@verybigrifle Chip (a.k.a. "sutterchip") has a video of Tom playing Joplin's "Leola" solo as well. And of course I have the video with him playing Maple Leaf in A, G, and B. Someone has requested to hear Tom's take on Sugar Cane, saying that Tom is one of the few people who could play it with the verve it requires. I agree... Will have to ask Tom if he can do that one sometime.

[@Cyrus_got_verified]

Keeper1st first reply

[@pianoboy3225]

Excellent!

[@dennisspinkshappyforbusker2523]

Well played 🤩🤗😎.🎇

[@gintokiil2665]

GOOOOOOD i love thé ragtime :D

[@thejumperkin]

I really wish there was a bar or restaurant around here that would have a ragtime player like tom playing in the background. And oh man, tom's talent for sightreading new music would be so perfect for it too

[@verybigrifle]

That would be nice but the 60's are over?.....VBR

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Although not in Tom’s league, I have played live ragtime piano from 2014 to early 2020 at 1642 Bar in Historic Filipinotown/ Echo Park (Los Angeles) California, every Tuesday night, generally from 9 to midnight. The bar is barely hanging in there thru COVID on bottle service and we’re all hoping for them to open up again in a few months and the music to restart. In Missouri and surrounding areas, William Marshall Bennett and Ethan Leinwand play ragtime at various venues; Adam Swanson plays at the Strater Hotel in Durango, Colorado; Tom Roberts and Martin Spitznagel play at a variety of Pittsburgh venues; Ethan Uslan plays in North Carolina; and Terry Waldo and Charlie Judkins play live ragtime regularly at a variety of bars and restaurants in New York City.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I also forgot George Foley who plays various Cleveland venues, as well as various artists who played or play at Pier 39 restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco (I might have the number of the pier wrong). A partial list of continued gigs and upcoming events can be found on the West Coast Ragtime Society website.

[@QwErty-jj4bk]

This should be the overworld theme for Conkers Other Bad Fur Day

[@anthonyfisher9546]

great to see someone else plays rags faster then How it was written! awesome video

[@gordonssongs8640]

+Anthony Fisher Only just a little bit. When Joplin admonished pianists not to play his rags fast, he was making reference to his contemporaries who made it almost a speed contest. The sheet music for this specifies 100 bpm, and this gentleman is probably playing around 110. I think Mr. Joplin would approve.

[@noonehere0987]

This is probably closer to 100 than 110. 110 bpm on a metronome feels rushed when you try to pair it up, but 100 bpm will slowly go in and out of phase, so it's probably floating pretty close to 100

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I got out my metronome. The marked tempo on the score is actually quarter = 100 in 2/4, and "slow March tempo". Tom is playing it generally between quarter = 92 and quarter = 96 or so (occasionally getting up to 100), so actually slightly slower than marked. However I agree it sounds perfect and think Joplin would have approved.

[@trainwatcher411]

Great Job,any chance there be a CD,s tom has??

[@littlelily716]

Cool!!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Tom plays it around quarter = 92 to quarter = 96 or so. The Guido Nielsen version, which I also think sounds correct, is generally quarter = 90. It is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnPVhaaAfptlmck The score is marked quarter = 100, and was originally performed in vaudeville by the Five Musical Spillers, to whom it was dedicated on the sheet music, who performed it on two marimbas joined together onstage, (presumably with piano or orchestra accompaniment from the theatre pit). Unfortunately they are not known to have made a recording of it. Their version of "Pine Apple" reportedly was so well-received in the era, that they couldn't take it out of their act and replace it with something else (as they probably did with, say, an abbreviated version of the "Raymond" Overture by Ambrose), as the audiences constantly demanded to hear it. I have long wanted to hear a snappy marimba / orchestra version of this at the marked tempo.

[@elis6299]

Check out Richard Smith’s acoustic guitar version of this rag as well!

[@verybigrifle]

Have listened to Richards playing of this, and other Rags on KZbin. Fantastic Guitarist.........VBR

[@dangerousnoodle3730]

This sounds like an actual recording of Scott Joplin himself

[@andrewbarrett1537]

In a 1970s interview, one of Scott Joplin’s students, Walter “Gus” Haenschen (who studied with Joplin in 1904 while still a teenager) recalled that when he heard Joplin play, he tended to play his music generally as written and at moderate tempo, and tellingly, remarked that Joshua Rifkin’s recording of “The Entertainer” sounded just like the way he remembered Joplin playing it.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Another of Joplin’s friends, composer Joe Jordan, also recalled him playing his rags as written, although composer Arthur Marshall (who was probably closer to Joplin and heard him play more often in more different musical situations) recalled that sometimes he would add embellishments (particularly in the bass), and didn’t always play everything exactly as written.

[@dangerousnoodle3730]

@@andrewbarrett1537 do you have a link to the performance?

[@andrewbarrett1537]

@@dangerousnoodle3730 Here is Joshua Rifkin's iconic 1970 recording of "The Entertainer" on the Nonesuch label. I think this record won an award for 'classical album of the year' or something. This is certainly the version Mr. Haenschen heard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXnTYoxuh8SXedk It is a truly great recording although it did polarize some of the ragtime enthusiasts at the time because it started a fad for classical pianists playing ragtime exactly as written (and sometimes, rather too stiffly, although I don't consider Mr. Rifkin 'stiff'; he used to play in jug bands). This is as opposed to _MOST_ ragtime, which was _RARELY_ played or arranged as-written by anybody (excepting large concert bands and medium sized pop orchestras, which generally did play the scores more or less as written out of necessity, although individual orchestra leaders would make adjustments and alterations to 'stock' orchestrations). Most solo and small group ragtime musicians of the time improvised or at least made their own unique arrangements of the tune, which were at least _slightly_ different than the published score, and often quite different. This is proven by thousands of surviving audio recordings and piano rolls from the era. The original musicians even did this to (improvised) Joplins' and Artie Matthews' rags, although these composers were exceptions to the rule in that they preferred their ragtime to be played more or less as-written (since Joplin, in his 1908 "School of Ragtime" method book, wrote "Each note is harmonized with the supposition that it is to be played as written"; and at the beginning of each of Matthews' 5 published "Pastime Rags" is printed the notation "Don't Fake"). Most other ragtime composers of the time, although they would have been _flattered_ for people to respect their melodies, harmonies and bass lines very scrupulously, more-or-less expected (or resigned themselves to) the musicians of the day improvising on their scores and sometimes even reharmonizing them, changing the bass lines, stating the melody in a different texture or different way, changing the rhythm etc. There wasn't so much the "making up an entirely new melody" jazz improvisation we think of today, but many of the soloists definitely were not playing as written. Mr. Rifkin plays the score very scrupulously as written, carefully, musically, and at a rather slow tempo. I presume all these features helped trigger Mr. Haenschen's memory. Interestingly, Haenschen's own record of "Maple Leaf Rag" (made as an exceedingly rare / limited edition Columbia Personal Record in 1916, and reissued on a recent Archeophone Records CD a year or two ago), is the SLOWEST version probably ever recorded of that piece while Mr. Joplin was still alive, at least that we can hear today (we can't hear the Wilbur Sweatman band cylinder supposedly recorded in Minnesota in 1903 because no one knows where it is or if it still exists; we can't hear the 1914 piano solo version by Lionel Belasco recorded in Trinidad because it was never commercially issued on 78 and we don't know whether the master record or any test-pressings could exist somewhere). Having heard most of the commercial records from that time of Maple Leaf (the U S Marine Band made excellent recordings of it in 1906 and 1909 at proper march tempo; Vess L Ossman the banjoist made some awesome versions of it with band; there are a few other versions), I can attest that this 1916 record is by far the slowest version of the tune recorded not just before 1917, but also for decades afterwards. I don't think anyone recorded "Maple Leaf" that slowly until maybe the 1970s.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

@@dangerousnoodle3730 As for "Entertainer", that tune has a much more curious history than Maple Leaf. Although it apparently had brief regional (Missouri?) popularity shortly after it came out (as attested to by journalist and composer Monroe Rosenfeld, who singles it out for special mention of Joplin's works in an article he wrote about Joplin), it was apparently not popular enough to be recorded by anyone while Joplin was alive, although several (arranged) piano rolls of it were issued at the time (and sold poorly; they're nearly impossible to find today in their original form, which would be 58-note Apollo and/or 65-note Aeolian and probably 65-note Connorized and Cecilian rolls; maybe a 65-note Simplex version but I'm not sure). There were probably some coin-piano roll versions of it as well, such as very likely for the Peerless style 44 and/or D but I'm not sure whether copies of these rare early rolls still exist. The Entertainer lapsed into obscurity, apparently eclipsed in popularity not only by several other of Joplin's pieces (like "Pine Apple Rag" here), but also, sadly, like most of Mr. Joplin's music, far eclipsed in popularity by the simpler pop rags and especially songs that were coming out continually at this time. I think the original printing of "The Entertainer" is a rather rare sheet today and a collectors' item. The first audio recording of the piece I'm aware of isn't under that title but as a kind of folk-country-rag-medley-transformation-improvisation labeled "Easy Winner"(!) and performed by Nap Hayes and Matthew Prater on string instruments (I think mandolin and guitar) in 1928 for OKeh records, recording under the name "The Blue Boys". They improvise extensively on the first two themes of this rag, and add another theme that is not from "he Entertainer". It's a very snappy and danceable recording and much faster than the Rifkin version. BUT - Joplin dedicated this piece to "James Brown and his Mandolin Club" on the original sheet music, so no doubt at least with the mandolin/guitar sound, this first recording is closer to the way Mr. Joplin envisioned it to sound sonically, if not with the fullness and richness of a full Mandolin Orchestra (or club) like was popular around 1900: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4nHgHSLrqqGfaM

[@kathyoberle9093]

I love ragtime music ❤

[@christianbriancon108]

bravo

[@fo-le9ns]

он лучший, играет легко и аккуратно, прелесть. Скотт Джоплин рулит!

[@verybigrifle]

The speed is JUST YOUR OPINION..Joplin did write that on some rags, FINE as it was his opinion......Speed is relative.....MOST ragtime sounds better at an UP TEMPO.... Tom Brier says, "the music will dictate the speed"........As long as the piece is CRISP and CLEAR in it's execution and syncopation not all run together, speed is fine, for my listening.......When some blaze through a piece with sound all run together, yes for me that is to fast.......Thanks for your comment and opinion...VBR

[@Wolfganger]

Sick

[@smuffjules]

Sounds like the man! Where is he based?? does he play local gigs where he is? i'm a touring guitar player and get around a lot...it'd be to catch a show sometime.

[@verybigrifle]

Spinach Rag? I don't get the connection? Thanks for comment and watching .......VBR

[@thecartologist4992]

The Sims brought me here

[@PeopleCanFly23]

Can you play "Palm Leaf rag" ?

[@MrHamthepig]

PeopleCanFly23 I've never heard that rag, is it a good one?

[@PeopleCanFly23]

Yes and it's relatively easy to learn.

[@IHBYT]

Did Russ Conway get inspiration from this?

[@jamie123b]

Any updates on Tom’s injury

[@verybigrifle]

Tom as of this date is a paraplegic. After 4 and a half years in a care facility his parents have taken him out and home to live there. He needs constant care...VBR

[@jamie123b]

@@verybigrifle so sad :(

[@SonicDcer]

I really like the sound of that piano. What brand is it?

[@bobsmith744]

*upright

[@SonicDcer]

It's an upright grand, because of it's height. They don't make upright pianos that high anymore.

[@finnd8778]

Guys, he was talking about what "Brand" it is, like Steinway, Yamaha, etc. Not what "Type" of piano this is.

[@alishathomas3105]

what style of jazz is this

[@verybigrifle]

The Genre is called RAGTIME. Jazz was born from it.......VBR

[@verybigrifle]

Not sure how OLD, or even the make of it....probably 1920's upwards, but is just a guess.....That place went out of business and I asked a person who lives in the town, where it went? He didn't know, and was very familiar with it AND LOCATION, having played it at these gatherings too?? Thanks for comments.....VBR

[@andrewbarrett1537]

verybigrifle From the case design, I put the build year of this piano between 1895-1910. These types of cases were popular then, and a few years afterwards, and then supplanted by more "modern" looking case styles. By 1920, mahogany had definitely overtaken oak as the veneer of choice. By the mid 1920s, thru the 1940s, it was walnut, although mahogany and other veneers were still made. The shorter studio uprights generally made their appearance in the late 20s, too, as well as spinets in the late 30s.