How to play The Entertainer on piano
- Level
- Intermediate
- Key
- C major
- Composer
- Scott Joplin
- Written
- 1902
Scott Joplin's 1902 ragtime became famous again through the 1973 film The Sting. Its opening line climbs D D♯ E, then bounces between E and high C, a fun stretch for the right hand.
The Entertainer letter notes
Press play to hear each line while the keys light up. Then play along, one line at a time.
Pickup and jumps
DD♯ECECEC
The hook
CDD♯ECDEBDC
Underlined notes are long notes: hold them for two beats or more.
Hand position
Right hand starts low on D4, then jumps between E4 and C5, a sixth apart. Use fingers 1 and 5 for those jumps.
Easy left-hand chords
Once the melody is comfortable, add these chords in your left hand, one per line or bar: C | C G7 C.
Chord diagrams: C major, G dominant 7th.
Practice tips
- The jumps from E4 to C5 cover a sixth. Keep your thumb on E and your fifth finger on C.
- Ragtime has a 'swing' to it, but learn it straight and even first.
- Practice the run C D D♯ E C D E B D C slowly: it is the hook of the whole piece.
How to practice this song
- Listen to each line once with the play button.
- Play one line slowly with the right hand until you make no mistakes three times in a row.
- Join two lines together, then the whole song.
- Add the left-hand chords, at half speed, once the melody is automatic.