The Easy Winners - Scott Joplin - with a surprise twist!

[@adamskeiss4526]

My sister has down syndrome. Whenever she is having a bad day, or just feeling down I play her your music. She once found or channel looking through youtube, and just fell in love with the music. Just the same way I did, when I came across your channel 4 years ago. I’ve just started to teach her some piano, since I have been playing for 7 years. It’s very hard for her to concentrate on the playing. Whenever she is just feeling down at the piano, I just tell her: “Do you want to be like Kristen?” and the answer is always yes. I just can’t thank you enough for what you are doing. You’re awesome. -Adam and my sister Magdalena

[@BJamesThompson]

I can't claim to personally relate to or understand your situation, but I'm not gonna lie... this made me SMILE. Keep doing this. Keep being YOU. Made my night.

[@KristenMosca]

this made my whole rough day SO WORTH IT. thank you so so much. please tell your sister that i love her, and i am super excited for her to learn! seriously, thank you. ❤️

[@adamskeiss4526]

@@KristenMosca Thank you for responding! I will make sure to tell her😁😁😁

[@juancarloscarrerochigne7116]

@@KristenMosca You are a Wonderful Person Dear Kristen.

[@yummygopher1065]

I actually love this comment section. I know it's cheesy but everyone here just seems like such a nice person. I hope everyone is having a good day.

[@tarmbruster1]

Fell in love with Joplins music when I was 11. I'm 61 now, and... you are fantastic.

[@TnseWlms]

50 years ago? Just after you saw The Sting?

[@CharlieBrn]

Im a man of 54 now . Dad died 11 yeats ago. He could play virtually anything by ear but loved ragtime most of all. Finding your channel has been such a treasure. Just love listening t all the ragtime an the wonder transposition of Disney mus into ragtime. It fills my heart. There are no crap videos. You are sharing your gift and we are lucky. Don't let s rough patch get you down.

[@sharongreen6071]

I’m 73. Love playing my piano. Just for me. Love playing ragtime. Wish I could take lessons from you. You are such an inspiration to me. Your Quarantine Rag is one of my favourites. Just keep being you. Because that’s good enough for me, and everyone else loving your music.

[@oliviasenes7478]

Im 14 and loved these pieces. well done!

[@speedyanimatez7276]

I'm 13 and I love Scott joplin's Songs

[@garrygarrett70]

61, same. I have the Pass sheet music subscription. I was playing a month ago. I said to wife how long have I been playing, she said 5 hours. With Pass you have access to the Hal Leonard library so you can play everything from Elton, Billy, Karen Carpenter. It's only $10/ month. I'm also found my Joplin book. Man, I love ragtime. I think some phrases rival Chopin and Beethoven.

[@reinhardpan]

Hello Sharon, I have your age and since I found a simplified Version of the "Entertainer" years agoI am especially hooked to that kind of music. I never will get to this perfection you find on KZbin, but watching these videos and listening to this joyful music gets me easier through a dark winter day. I am practising "Something Doing" at the moment, it is not too difficult and I have a lot of fun with the music piece. Perhaps you give it a try?

[@vaniasetti7753]

me too

[@julianopificius6910]

I love that you don't rush, you don't slur, you maintain your tempo, your phrasing and your power. That consistency protects the dignity (yes, the right word) of the music. Your love and respect for it shows, even with occasional mistakes. It's October now, April is well gone, along with whatever made that day difficult, hopefully, but thank you for having the courage and the respect for your followers to post it anyway.

[@luckybrandon]

Like cracked Japanese pottery, the imperfections add character and make you more relatable. Besides it’s 99% flawless and not an easy piece to play! Nice job! 🎉

[@mtlicq]

What??? THIS is the best performance I ever heard, the second half of the music was absolutely perfect!!!

[@RetroPianist]

I feel your pain! No matter how comfortable I get with a piece, the moment I start recording I get stage fright despite having unlimited takes and no one watching me play. The more attempts I go through, the more tense I get and the more frequently I mess up at even the easiest of sections. Then if I manage to do unusually well through most of a recording, I panic and ruin it. It once took me about four recording days to get a result I considered good enough to post, and I'm still not 100% satisfied with it. I think a lot of musicians are perfectionists, and that makes recording an unbelievably frustrating process since we're always telling ourselves we can do better. "Recording day" for me often represents hours of stress, crankiness, and fatigue. One thing that has helped me recently is an experience I had messing around on a very old piano which is not in the greatest condition. The piano didn't sound good, I didn't sound good, yet someone listening in the next room complimented my playing when I finished. I'm finally starting to realize that most people really don't have a clue or care when you make a mistake or don't play your best; they're just happy to hear someone make music, especially if they don't know how to play an instrument themselves. A method I have been using while recording is forcing myself to playing through the piece multiple times in a row without stopping even if I make mistakes. It helps minimize that stressful feeling that you need to stop after making the slightest mistake, and after doing it enough times you'll probably end up with a take that's good enough to use. Your videos are always enjoyable to watch, and this one was no exception.

[@KristenMosca]

thank you so much for this. just what i needed to hear today. ❤️

[@nachofernandezrevilla]

You gave the perfect description about how any musician in the world feels when recording. Me too.

[@andrewguthrie2]

I've spent the last year learning Bethena, and have got to a place where I can play it through quite fluently, with just a couple of places I need to polish. But then about a week or so ago I sat down and just couldn't play bars 6 and 7, couldn't work out what the chords were. Unbelievable. I know that this will happen when I finally get to take it out into the wild, and I'll look silly. I suppose when you're doing "The Take" there will be a pressure to get it absolutely right, especially getting near the end, and this must increase tension and make mistakes more likely.

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

@@KristenMosca Well, Victor Borge never got rid of the "freeze up" - he never finished a concert though he was a wonderfull pianist. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWS9Y6CopdaniNE

[@revelationchurchofgod1268]

@@KristenMosca can you do heliotrope bouquet please?

[@charleshmansfield5786]

Stopping for a short rest. She’s human after all. And so beautiful.

[@pianorags]

Yes she is beautiful but do you think she cares about you or I saying it when she hears it 100s of times a day outside of KZbin, This is about her playing which I could only wish to play as good as her

[@Old-Thunder69]

At least she has balls to do it. Much respect madame. Damn it sounds good

[@patriciagraham2287]

Scott Joplin - just - love his music. Kristen - you are great.

[@bonalandu1341]

J'ai des larmes aux yeux ...C'est tellement Merveilleux ! Vive Joplin !! Vive Kristen !!

[@frankryder393]

Kristen you are the best, don't beat yourself up your music has a joie de vivre I haven't heard in a long time My wife's grandmother had it. It came from her playing in movie theaters for the silent movies in the 1920s and 30's. she could play anything, hear it once and she could play it. She had a special love of for Scott Joplin's work, as you do and the whole family delighted in her playing. It's wonderful to hear someone playing with that same bouncy spirit. just fake a recovery and carry on, the good parts will make everyone forget.

[@Ernie_Centofanti]

Don’t be so hard on yourself. You play incredibly better than I do, and I consider myself to be a good intermediate-level pianist. I love all of your KZbin content and videos. Keep up the good work and enjoyable presentations. You are an inspiration to all of us.

[@browpetj]

Come to Scotland, we dont have time for perfection. We just appreciate people that pick up an instrument an play! :)

[@RasiRon]

This cheers me up that’s all that counts!

[@PotterPossum1989]

"... the bullshit that I've been dealing with..." That's life 🤣♥️ you did good!

[@eliorlev4300]

came for the music, stayed to relate. happens all the time. glad you still uploaded it :)

[@ElenasBarre]

Hey Kristen, great video! 🤩❤️🔥🙏I feel you with the recording. ❤️🤗😂🙏 It takes me hours to record one piece and I'm not a professional pianist, it can be very frustrating at times. 😂 It's important to know when to take a break. I'm struggling sometimes with stopping and I often get frustrated at myself too.🤬🤣 So, I totally understand how you feel. 😂🤗❤️

[@timkarrell7109]

First, that sounded great. Second, thank you for inviting us on you journey, not just the destination.

[@ClaudioRCFaria]

Really, _"inviting us on you journey, not just the destination"_ takes a lot of courage. Being vulnerable, yet not flinching. Also, it means trusting that the audience will take it as it's intended. I hope we deserve that trust.

[@PapagenoX09]

This one is possibly my favorite of all the Scott Joplin rags (which in general are my go-to "bring joy to my day" compositions) and you played it at just the right pace--off to Spotify to see if I find your performance there. And I know I'm late to the party here but I hope you succeeded in working your way through the difficult time you were going through. I can't imagine what it must have been like to have gone through the pandemic for young people like yourself at that time in your lives. It was stressful enough for us older people but we weren't dealing with all the emotional stuff and the insecurity one does when younger.

[@woodstoney]

Honey, life is not perfect and it serves to help ground all of us to the fact that we're just human. Mistakes are ways of reinforcing what we're doing or trying to do. Hit it and keep going. We all love you and your inspiring renditions of classic Joplin pieces and I'm sure he would applaud your efforts as we do as well. Carry on and continue to inspire us just by being you!!

[@cjk11884]

Homie I love listening to you. I play a lot of the same ragtimes as you, especially all the Scott joplin, and you’ve given me great inspiration on some techniques within some of the songs. Couple pro tips cuz I record and perform also, and have rocked out some ragtime on the piano in magic kingdom. First tip so get used to playing under a spot light is to run a couple laps around your house/get your heart rate up before you practice. This will help simulate the adrenaline of performing in a practice setting, and you’ll be used to performing that way once you get to a live setting. Second tip. After 3-4 unsuccessful runs, put the song away for a bit. Play another song, take a break for a half hour and internalize the music, then sit down a try again. Kudos to you

[@gb-jg1ud]

Omg finally she plays my favourite!!! ive waited and watched your channel for so long to hear this one...and slow...perfect...perfect even with the little flaws and struggle and added liberties...Thank you thank you!Though your super sonic version of the pineapple is astounding and I am going to listen to that again.

[@eventsrusinc]

Smile beautiful Kristen! I am so proud of you. I don't know how many times you've practiced this song but you are phenominal! This is something that you'll be playing for the public soon and it will bring you all of the success you dream about! Vegas huh? I'm in Boca Raton, Florida. I'm going to be 60 this year-I've been playing/practicing piano since Feb. 5, 1967..! Hows that for being a student. I play and sing professionally since about 1977 but I don't tell everyone about it. I've also gone thru the same feelings you are having where I wanted to quit. Especially when in 1985 a little chubby 13 year old kid (Joey Franchesco) was playing chords on the hammond B-3 that I couldn't even COMPREHEND! Now tho-I do comprenhend and play those cool 9th-11th-13ths and all of the various style modes and patterns necessary for all genre's of music. You'll do the same-you are young and you look great when you perform. Keep it up-let me be the first to tell you that GOD gives each of us gifts and while there may be some "Emily Bear" at 6 years old performing The Flight of the Bumble Bee at incredible speed while she's looking at me in the audience-stunned with my jaw hitting the ground and she's laughing at me...giggling as her little hands go further on the grand piano keyboard then she is long...and I'm like....I WANNA QUIT!!!! But I can't and I havent and I will not! People in this business are going to either love you for what you do and the talent you have OR hate you because they're jealous or envious and don't want you to succeed. There's a lot of that in our industry girl. You just keep on doing what your're doing. Challenge yourself! Go outside the box. Listen to those incredible pianists - Erroll Garner, T-Monk, Johnny Winter, Howard Jones, Fat's Waller, Herbie Hancock, Hogey Carmicheal, Nat King Cole and so many more who are contemporary i.e.: Domo, Jesus Molina, and classcial artists; Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Van Kllibern and more. Don't stop for anyone! Go-Go-Go! Best of luck- Break a leg! Hope to see you in Vegas gigging or in your own showroom at the casino!

[@jasonsnyder4805]

You play the most difficult music at an advanced level , I think your playing is so amazing . T u 4 sharing it .

[@shanesamuelson7418]

You be yourself! It's why we all listen to your voice and appreciate the wonderful talent you share.

[@jaromrichardson]

Still enjoyed it. People don't realize how difficult these musical pieces are to play. It is refreshing to see what really happens and you can talk about it and not hide it behind fancy video editing. It is good to know that you are human like the rest of us. Thanks

[@PeterMRoebuck]

You are are a beautiful pianist. Love your ragtime. And this is not an easy piece. Thank you for sharing.

[@adrianhorsnell8900]

One of my favourite Joplin pieces and although you were dissatisfied I thoroughly enjoyed it and I wish I could play just one tenth as well as you do. Well done!

[@baashtone7092]

LOVE. YOUR ARRANGEMENT!!! Mr. Joplin would be proud.

[@robhogg68]

Thank you. I struggle with recording anything, and often come to pieces when playing in front of other people, and this really helps. And not at all crap. Be good to yourself.

[@jorge-enriquemunoz7067]

Do not worry my son is studying piano ad the university of Córdoba, I think I exactly how you may feel. This session is probably the best one I ever seen. You are showing your frustration your hard wok you put in your music. Kristine when you play perfect which is most of the time. You make it look easy but none knows how much effort and hard work every piece of music you publish. Thank you for sharing that bit of humanity. Saludos Jorge from Concepción, Chile

[@donaldbeck498]

Always enjoy your playing. My music career started on the 5 string banjo and progressed to the pedal steel. Soon to be 77 but learning to play the bagpipes now. I played all the banjo on Rick Nelson's Country Fever album when I was 18. You have all my respect. Thank you

[@KristenMosca]

that's amazing!!

[@emanuelrozellemusic831]

I’m a big fan of yours and I absolutely love your playing! I am a pianist as well. I had to take a break from my channel during this Covid season, and dealing with other health issues. However I enjoy so much watching and listening to you play. I totally feel your frustration. I usually just stop for the time being, or sometimes for the day. My keyboard is too expensive for me to take out my true feelings on it 😂. Clearly like me, you have a passion for it i’m sure we’ll both continue playing until the last breath leaves our bodies. Keep up the great work! By the way, Scott Joplin is no joke!!❤️❤️🙂🙂

[@pavelbenjacob]

@Kristen Mosca I had been binge watching your videos last night--starting with Star Wars Cantina, awesome!--when this pops up on my feed just after midnight. I was probably one of the first to view it--I think there were like 17 views...when I clicked off, to go to bed thinking, "I want to catch it in the morning when I can enjoy the whole thing AWAKE!" I hadn't gotten to the part where you paused.... My reaction today, it rocks! And look at all the love you're getting from your fans--seriously, some of these guys are ready to propose! :D Vegas is a crazy busy place. Give yourself some slack and ENJOY what you, us and everyone you play for all love, your stellar chops on the ivories!

[@dragoncarver287]

I took about a year and 9 months total of "lessons" but I was in my 30's when I started. Also working full time plus a side business so there wasn't much energy for really learning. But I learned a little. What few pieces I play are memorized. Now, at almost 70 years old, when I sit down to play, sometimes I have "brain cramps". my fingers get tangled and I have to stop. Most of the time I have to just stop or play something else. Then come back to it later and play it just fine. Trying to do it "perfect" is the added stress. I tried that too. Lets just say its not my bag. Its OK to make mistakes. It's also important to enjoy what you are doing. Just keep it up, Kristen.

[@jrgoodland]

2:30 took me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. The look on your face! Yes, I absolutely can relate. Thank you, Kristen. Thank you for leaving this in the video.

[@SeanGriffinNY]

so human, so relatable... makes me like her even more.

[@SkylaneGuy]

Hey, I enjoyed every second of that and could care less about the restart. I’m going to get the Joplin book out of the piano bench and give this one a go. Cut yourself some slack - you’re inspiring people!

[@dorisb505]

I can appreciate how much concentration this takes, and the hours of practice. Kudos to you for sticking with it. You're an amazing pianist.

[@johnnichols3843]

😊 Your music makes me smile and feel better no matter how bad the day has been! THANK YOU!!!

[@nhm1069]

I love how you just stopped, composed yourself, and kept going. Too often we stress about being perfect and it's okay to stop and take a mulligan. You're a great piano player.

[@charlottehayward5943]

Absolutely great. I play all the time but can't play this. Being human we make mistakes. Nobody else heard them. You're wonderful love yourself.

[@robertmiller3910]

You have great musical talent. And your videos always brighten my day.

[@BaconBandage]

So much expression! You are ALWAYS very expressive in your playing, but this one showed so much that I actually felt joy while listening to it instead of just focusing on the music.

[@Kenopolis]

Kristen, You are amazing. I was watching your hands fly across the keyboard, and I was dumbfounded. Such a complex piece of music. Keep it up, you bring a smile to my face every time I hear you play.

[@rjanuary]

Joplin is one of my all time favorites. Your playing sounds amazing, this is coming from someone with over 40 years of being an organist / pianist. I totally feel you. When I try to record a video to share with my friends & family, after I believe I have it memorized cleanly, I end up doing take after take after take. I've played for large groups and don't have as much stage freight as I do when the camera is rolling. Keep up the good work!

[@jeremypearson6852]

You have an amazing talent that you can share with people like me. Don’t ever lose it or take it for granted. You may just change someone’s whole day without knowing it.

[@mashola]

Hang in there, Kristen! You did a nice job on a tough piece. Attack it with passion and you'll kick ass next time! I love "Easy Winners" so much, as it reminds me of the soundtrack from the 1973 film, "The Sting", which introduced me to Ragtime music. The late Marvin Hamlisch's adaptation of the Scott Joplin rags into the movie soundtrack really added to the film, one of my all-time fav movies with Robert Redford and Paul Newman. What I didn't know at the time was that while the iconic film was set in the 1930's, Ragtime music's heyday was actually around the turn of the century. I mean, I was a kid and all I knew was that I liked the music. But I guess in the 1970's there was a cultural revival in Ragtime music, and the producers of the film thought that a Ragtime soundtrack would give the film an aestheticly nostalgic feel, even if the music was not actually as popular in the 1930's. Anyways, you are a wonderful ragtime specialist, and I always enjoy your KZbin performances (esp your doggie backup crew)! Don't get discouraged, and I hope you get that love and passion back soon the next time you shoot. Hope to catch you at Disneyland this summer at the Main Street Coke Corner Piano to hear you play! Take care and keep'em coming!!

[@dmlewis3]

My mother has slipped into Alzheimer's now, but I remember her playing Scott Joplin *to deal with* days like this while I was growing up. So in an odd way, you brought her back for a few minutes. Thank you.

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

quite understandable; Music is stored in the brain quite different from spoken language and people with some sort of brain damage can use what has not been affected.

[@JonTanOsb]

So true. I had a mini-stroke and could not speak coherently. I knew what I wanted to say, but random words came out. I couldn't write or type what I wanted, but I remembered an article I read decades ago in Scientific American about people singing when they couldn't speak. And it worked. My son couldn't help himself, he started singing back. :) Luckily it cleared up on its own. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@LESTER3ful]

Your an amazing talented pianist. I have enjoyed your music. I am a huge fan of piano which would mean I am a huge fan of yours. Your bad days are still my enjoyment to watch. Look forward to more great times on the keys.

[@jrpro5195]

The best!!!! It is not crap…Easy Winners makes my day any time I hear it. Playing that helped turn my day around. Keep up the good work!

[@deegee7208]

Please don't feel bad, Kristen. I know it's tough trying to record oneself, especially something as tough as a piano rag like Easy Winners. Two times in my life I have tried to record 9audio only) myself playing ragtime. One time was for a writing class where I would write a paper describing how I felt as I played (it was a somewhat simplified version of Gladiolus Rag). Ugh, what a wreck I was trying to get one clean version of that! The other time was a medley of my favorite sections of rags for my grandfather (that tape disappeared over the years, sadly). I am glad to see you back here, as I had stopped checking in lately.

[@sunnysideupp1797]

Thank you for reassuring me that it’s okay to make mistakes. I am so hard on myself to play every song perfectly because if you look on youtube thats all you see. So thank you for this absolutely wonderful performance.

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYO1d59sm5qhZpY

[@andyecheandia8375]

Music is certainly a magnificent gift from God and it appears YOU have been gifted abundantly.

[@davef.2329]

Your honesty is endearing! Thanks

[@silvanorolla7621]

Straordinaria, brava, simpatica!!!

[@Russv2]

Some days and hours are like that. Everything is going well and then... crash and burn! I've been there many times myself both with music and other projects. I definitely appreciate the video and as always you bring a smile to my face with your music. Take a breath and we'll see you next time.

[@TheMrAshley2010]

I feel your pain. ( I know I'm not the only one opening with that sentiment.) I work a full time day job that just runs me ragged. But my passion is playing trumpet, which I do on videos, live streams, and in person for the church I attend. Some of the music we play is 'just out of reach' for me to play it correctly on demand. I can get it in the practice room, or I can get it in rehearsal. But, with my limited time available, most of the time I have to accept that there are going to be missteps on the videos and in person performances. My college trombone professor used to encourage me to perform with a sense of freedom, saying 'here I am, warts and all'. Thanks for keepin it real @Kristen Mosca.

[@anthonyalexander5027]

You are truly AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing you old Soul,

[@dejavu666wampas9]

To know that an actual human is playing, errors and all, makes the music all the more precious. I only WISH I played as beautifully as you do. You are awesome, inside and out.

[@roberttaylor6295]

You would not be normal if you did not have the odd hiccup both in life an piano playing. This video show your human side, your humanity, honesty and sheer and unbelievable skill. From the north of the UK, as ever, I send my supports and thanks for bringing to life Scott Joblin's super music. Can't wait for the next! Rob

[@currly75]

Thank you for sharing your passion, you are a gift.

[@balsamfir1688]

What a great sounding song. Reminds me of being in a great mood on a rainy day.

[@letmeseeit66]

Beautiful as always. I recognized that piece as being from the movie, "The Sting", but never knew what the name of it was. Don't be so hard on yourself. I love your music and your playing. A person can't be perfect every day, and the more pressure you put on yourself the harder it will be to perform as you want to.

[@magicmarvin44]

Another grand offering I've just come out of Hospital after 17 days so it cheered me up thanx 😎

[@spectralanalysis]

i hope ur recovering well :>

[@jeffreywise4807]

Me too!

[@bstevens9831]

Thank you for sharing your rag time music! Dr. K is my favorite boogie woogie but the rag time is wonderful.

[@thomaspmoen]

God bless you Kristen. Enjoy your smooth and rich piano playing. Regardless of any difficulty you experience with your piano, you have poise and confidence.

[@SimonLiddo]

Please be kind to yourself Kristen, you are a prodigious talent... not a machine. Take a break. You have a precious gift so enjoy it! I have spent my lifetime managing all manner of performance artists and truly creative souls like yourself will always be harshly critical of your own endeavours. From where I’m sitting over here in the U.K. you are awesome! Have a great day and once again... please be kind to yourself, you have achieved more magic in those fraught couple of hours than most of us will achieve in a lifetime. 😘

[@ОлегУваров-ч5ш]

We love you,Kristen! And we love your music!!!

[@beethovensg]

I understand completely. Every time that I attempt to record myself, I enter the twilight zone and think way too much. I can only imagine how brilliant these world-class artists really are! Your playing is also captivating. Thank you.

[@BGerbs66]

I'm no musician but I took a guitar class in high school. I was great in practice and even worked on little syncopations for fun, but as soon as I got in front of the teacher, my fingers would forget what they were supposed to do. The video is far from "crap". Much better than I could ever dream of doing. Don't be so hard on yourself. If music was perfect, nothing would be interesting or impressive. The songs sound great even with (mostly unnoticeable) mistakes. You may be your worst critic, but that doesn't mean we don't love and enjoy the music you make. Keep at it and have a nice stiff drink to relax. You've earned it.

[@jamesjenkins9916]

I'm glad to see that someone from this generation appreciates the music and style from that generation. And doing a terrific job too !

[@divvy1400yam600]

One of Scott Joplins best rags. : very catchy and rhythmic. Well done piano player Two strutters strutting would add to the ambience ..if I may say so I mean dancing hehehehehehehe

[@adrianmetzler2523]

I need to play like this!!!! Maybe someday, There’s so few who play such solid ragtime and you’re in the top of that list.

[@AllanBruckheim]

Perfection, perfection the search for perfection. We have all had it a time or two. But this recording was as entertaining and adorable as any of the others, and you let us with the melody singing in our ears and a tune of love for you singing in out our hearts. Thank you THANK YOU for your music.

[@jesseferry4404]

I love this kind of music and you played it well. I can’t imagine that level of dexterity is very easy. I’m glad you shared it.

[@rafaelherediamaldonado8041]

I love this song , and the way you play it . What a great performance.thank you for your beautiful smile .

[@ruhlworth]

Kristen, excellent !!! Wish I could hear you in person !!

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

aww I love that tune..well played..sounded great and made my day. Now I must get the music !!..I m sick of hearing myself play Maple leaf and The Entertainer

[@larryboynton3853]

I really enjoy your playing and you. Keep up the great music. Going to the gym is my release. Bless you.

[@jamestanis5537]

Girl, I get the "perfection syndrome," BUT... ARE. PLAYED. A-W-E-S-O-M-E-L-Y!!! I think Scott Joplin secretly took pleasure in composing some of the biggest "finger twists" on the planet! Although the frustration is understandable, you overcame two amazing issues: 1. You got over your perfectionism and posted the best you had for the time you had. 2. See number one. I teach kids these rags, often simplified, and Joplin really was a genius. Kind of a jackwad for some of his arrangements, but a genius. I am now a happy follower of you!

[@melenatorr]

I thought it was wonderful - I felt the music and enjoyed it. Perfection is never required. This was lovely.

[@rishied]

I love the little improvisations.

[@salamander5703]

Brilliant - I loved it. Just relax and enjoy playing and it will come...

[@sherrybirchall8677]

Kristin, I love, love, love your expression and your timing. Just perfect, and so enjoyable. And also, I so appreciate that you share your musician struggles at the end. Every musician, no matter the level, can relate. ❤️

[@gabithemagyar]

Thank you for this !!!! This is a really inspirational video for me. Like many of the people commenting, I too find playing while a camera is running stressful. I am nowhere near your caliber of playing - I simply trade little videos via Dropbox of piano playing with a friend who is also practicing/studying piano. We send each other these videos as an exercise in playing for others to hear. I find that I can play a piece 10 times fine straight for myself but soon as I turn the damn camera on I am sure to screw up and/or play mechanically because I am too afraid of making mistakes. It's like running down stairs : all is well as long as you trust yourself and don't all of a sudden start thinking too much, become conscious of the steps and the motion and break an ankle. It can take me hours to record a piece that I normally can just zip through with no problem. Your video shows me that I am not alone, not to give up and. perhaps more importantly, it shows that I need to develop the bravery, as you have, to put forward my playing even if any given video is not as good as I would have liked it to be (even though you are being overly hard on yourself - your playing was very enjoyable !) . I dance salsa for a hobby as well and have actually taught myself to "dance like no-one is watching". Now I need to learn to "play like no-one is listening". Thank you for making me think !!!

[@Wol747]

YOU may not have enjoyed recording this piece - but I enjoyed watching it and so did thousands of others. Thank you.

[@williamheyman5439]

You are a very wonderful person. And playing a piano is only one thing that you can do. You can do whatever you want.

[@georgekosa8022]

I enjoyed your very bright and happy music. Thank you!

[@roberttaylor6295]

Yet again I say it was fantastic and to see you as such professional with the guts to bash on through a bad day is great. Believe me you are the best and I always return to you ever time I go on line as I need the joyousness of Joplin...and you! You live an breathe the music. Love it all and more than admire you for your talent, determination, brilliance and honest humanity! Rob from across the pond!

[@FreeAnalyst]

Don't worry about the pause in the middle: these things happen. I very much enjoyed the way you played this rag. The last section always reminds me of the film, The Sting; starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Thanks for sharing this Kristen. It's always a joy to hear you play.

[@geraldarmstrong5861]

Now, what on earth was wrong with that? You played beautifully and your rhythm was spot on and I enjoyed your playing very much!! I’ve been playing trumpet for 56 years and I know good music when I hear it! Remember, you are your own best critic, but don’t be too hard on yourself or you’ll get discouraged, and when that happens you quit playing and then you’ve lost your forward momentum… I’ve been there to, ya know!! 🎺😁

[@davef.2811]

Thanks for all you do and hope you had a great day today! Keep smiling!

[@laureldenhartog582]

Just the right speed! I hate it when people play Joplin too fast. Thank you!!

[@Lord-Wolfie]

Don't worry. I can't beat you with this. You were excellent and it is a difficult piece. So, my compliments!

[@cordiscoscorner]

I use that tune sometimes in my podcast intro. GREAT PLAYING. Don't sweat it kid, some days you're the pigeon some days you're the statue.

[@ronaldhentzel7159]

Love it...return to it over and over again!

[@williamjohnson1264]

I keep going back to that song , next time will be try number4 ,it's a real complicated tune , especially on a bad day , thanks Kristen , I liked it , I liked the personal touches. thumbs up!

[@danielkeach9676]

It was wonderful! I am in awe of your ability? Thank you for sharing with us.

[@nicholaskarafilis3836]

I really enjoyed this video because it serves as a delicate reminder that music making is hard work. So much of what we consume is polished and refined in a studio and I think people fail to appreciate the connection - from mind to hands to instrument - that must be exercised in order to make music organically. I get frustrated when I can’t remember a chord or accidentally stumble through a passage myself. Thank you for posting a video that reminds us all of how lucky we are to hear music that requires a balance of skill, talent, and effort to make it a reality. Awesome job - and looking forward to more!!

[@richardsnyder8]

I love all the extra notes you added to the first section! You have embellished this (and the Magnetic Rag) really brilliantly & cool! And you don't have to apologize - In spite of just being human, your playing is excellent! I know how hard it is to try to play anything perfectly when I am trying to make a recording, or play for someone else,. You wouldn't believe how badly I messed up the Magnetic Rag when Ragtime Rod allowed me to play the Disneyland piano 35 years ago, so I am right there with you! No worries - even with a few mistakes that we hardly notice, you play this far better than most of the rest of us probably ever could, so BRAVO! We support you 100%; your playing is excellent! So Right On, keep on ragging! We all love you and wish you the best!