How to play Elite Syncopations on piano

Joplin's 1902 rag simplified from the original: the introduction and the complete first strain twice, with its off-beat chords, chromatic bass walk and syncopated 16ths. Learn it step by step in your browser: the music waits for you on every note, then you speed it up.

The first notes

Right hand, first bars. The small numbers are finger numbers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).

In the app you see these notes falling onto the keyboard and on sheet music at the same time, with the right key lit up.

How to learn it fast

1. Listen first: Listen mode plays the whole piece.
2. Learn mode: the music stops and waits until you press the right key, one hand at a time.
3. Play mode at 60–70% speed: real-time feedback on every note, early or late.
4. Loop the hard bars: the coach finds them for you and speeds them up as you improve.
5. Hands together at full speed.

New to piano? This song fits best after Unit 14: Rhythm II of the free course path.

More songs at level 4

• Arabesque Friedrich Burgmüller (25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 2)
• Danny Boy Traditional Irish (Londonderry Air); words Fred Weatherly
• Für Elise (Opening) Ludwig van Beethoven
• Greensleeves (Full) Traditional English (16th century)
• Gymnopédie No. 1 (Complete) Erik Satie
• Gymnopédie No. 1 (Opening) Erik Satie
• In the Hall of the Mountain King Edvard Grieg
• Prelude in A Major Frédéric Chopin (Op. 28 No. 7)

Works on phone, tablet and computer. Free to start, no download.