The Entertainer is one of the most well known pieces of ragtime music. It was written in 1902 by Scott Joplin, it was first recorded by the group the Blue Boys in 1928, performed on mandolin and guitar. It returned to prominence as part of the style revival in the 1970s, when it was used as the theme music for the 1973 Oscar-winning film The Sting.
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“The Entertainer” sheet music
Download the “The Entertainer” piano sheet music in PDF and learn whenever you like.
At a glance
| Key | C major |
| Difficulty | Intermedaiate |
| Genre | Ragtime |
| Tempo (BPM) | 132 BPM |
| Duration | ~ 3,5 min |
| Composer | Scott Joplin |
“The Entertainer” video tutorial
Check out our “The Entertainer” video tutorial to see how the piece comes together on piano. It’s a simple way to follow along, understand tricky parts, and improve as you practice with the sheet music.
Tips for playing “The Entertainer”
To get playing “The Entertainer” piano sheet music as soon as possible you should focus on these essential practice habits:
- Prioritise clarity over speed
Ragtime piano sounds best when it’s clean and rhythmic. Build up speed gradually instead of rushing, especially with the left hand leaps. - Practice hands separately first
The right hand handles syncopated melodies while the left keeps a steady rhythm with our simplified iconic ragtime style jumps. Practice them separately to get full control and independence. - Keep the left hand consistent
The classic ragtime “oom-pah” pattern emphasises the 2nd and 4th beat of the bar and drives the piece. Make sure you nail this to match the iconic ragtime sound. - Break difficult sections into small parts
Work on short phrases and repeat them slowly until they feel natural. The best way to do this is looping bars or phrases with a metronome. - Use light articulation
Avoid heavy playing; it can make the piece sound clunky and stiff. A lighter touch helps capture the playful ragtime style. - Use a metronome effectively
Start slow and increase in small increments to build consistency and confidence. You can do all this through the Skoove app.
Play “The Entertainer” with confidence
Learning “The Entertainer” is a great way to take your piano playing to the next level with a well known piano piece. With this helpful lesson and PDF you can build coordination, rhythm and control.
With Skoove, you can break down “The Entertainer” piano sheet music step by step, get real-time feedback and turn practice into real progress. Stick with it, follow our helpful practice tips and you’ll be playing ragtime in no time. Happy practicing!
