Scott Joplin - The Easy Winners: A Ragtime Two Step (1901)

American ragtime composer Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners” was written and published in October of 1901. The title of the piece references skilled and gifted people (like athletes) being able to naturally outdo others in the various endeavors that correspond to their forte. The Rag is in ABACD form, with the first theme returning before the trio section. Once the trio begins, the piece modulates from the initial key of A-flat Major to its subdominant, D-flat Major. Also Interesting to note is that the final five measures of the C and D sections are exactly the same, despite each section featuring its own otherwise-unique theme.
Date: 1901
Performer: Joshua Rifkin on piano
Note: This channel does not own the score or audio, and they are only used for non-commercial purposes.

[@PJGRAND]

Beautifully played by the great Joshua Rifkin

[@simongross3122]

Excellent. I love this piece. Thank you

[@blacksmithpiano]

Based ragtime uploader!!!!!!

[@mariozambon]

I'm studying a bit faster with my accordion but after listening to this... I guess this is not a bad speed. My compliments. Really very very well executed !!!

[@DorAntCr]

playing ragtime on the accordion just seems natural to me, with the left hand having buttons for the chords. i'd like to learn this piece as well and for this piece in particular, i think the tempo should not be rushed. Joplin himself says "Not fast". i'll see at which tempo i'll stop at.

[@mariozambon]

@@DorAntCr I use, on the left hand, exactly the same notes that Scott Joplin wrote, so sometimes I use chords and sometimes single notes. It's more difficult because the fingering on the left hand of the accordion is often complex and not trivial, but the effect, in my opinion, is much better and more similar to the original writing of the piece.

[@Spooky1862]

@mariozambon Yes, it seems to me that a lot of musicians make the mistake of playing ragtime at too fast a tempo.

[@mariozambon]

@@Spooky1862 I agree with you. Now I play "the easy winners" at the right speed but I like to be able to play things like Maple Leaf Rag at the speed I like ... sometimes slow and sometimes very very fast 😀

[@Spooky1862]

@@mariozambon Now the Maple Leaf Rag sounds great at a faster tempo 😁!

[@lindsayfiore6212]

very good it is at a relaxing speed nice job

[@alexanderbayramov2626]

Nice ragtime, like how fresh it sounds compared to more popular ones, cool harmony in middle section, and catchy melodies in overall :3

[@levimatthew8911]

The Sting.

[@certaindeed]

Nice and slow :)

[@thesucka397]

Thanks for playing it slow, it sounds pretty bad when people play it at the speed intended by joplin

[@mikeymutual5489]

What are you talking about?!? THIS is the speed that Joplin intended this piece be played at. NOT FAST.

[@user-zz5te5nw7g]

Too robotic of a playing