Is Scott Joplins Stoptime Rag really hard to play?
I don’t know where you can find it on the Internet, but I’m sure it’s out there somewhere. You have several challenges with this rag. First, of course, is the rhythm – presumably you’ve heard a recording of it – if not, find Joshua Rifkin’s – and once you get the idea – it’s full of sixteenth rests – it’s not that hard. The score is marked throughout to “stamp” your foot – actually this will help you grasp the catchy rhythms. “Stoptime” means it’s full of hesitations, designed to get the listener leaning forward in his or her seat, waiting for the piece to resume after the “stops.” It’s tricky. You’ll need to brush up on your leger line reading, if that presents a problem for you, but the notes lay quite easily under the fingers and from a technical fingering standpoint, it’s not “really hard to play.” The left hand is very active – not at all the usual “boom-chick” – meaning bass note, inverted chord, bass note, inverted chord, that is common in Joplin and all ragtime. The bass has a
