The Entertainer
The ragtime everyone can whistle – with a left hand that constantly jumps between bass and chord.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Scott Joplin
- Year
- 1902
- Origin
- Ragtime, known from The Sting
- Key
- C major
- Level
- Intermediate
- Keys recommended
- 76
How difficult is it?
The melody is catchy, but the left hand does the work: it strides over an octave and has to stay even.
The real hurdle
The stride bass. Grab it late and you lose the swing that makes the piece.
How long does it take?
The A section in three weeks, the whole piece in months.
A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.
Which instrument suits it?
The bass leaps need room and an instrument with clear depth – from 76 keys.
Instruments that suit it
Casio CDP-S360 EU approx. €450–500Portable digital piano with Scaled Hammer Action II action.
Yamaha CLP-825 EU approx. €1,350–1,650Cabinet digital piano with GrandTouch-S action.
Kawai MP7SE EU approx. €1,400–1,550The stage all-rounder with Kawai’s RHIII feel – favourite of many pianists with stage jobs.
The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.
Where to find the sheet music
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
Free: the historical editions
IMSLP holds the old, public-domain editions as PDFs – free and legal. Engraving and fingering reflect their era; anyone wanting a modern, easily readable edition is often better served by a paid one.
Modern editions and arrangements
Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is The Entertainer?
The melody is catchy, but the left hand does the work: it strides over an octave and has to stay even.
What key is The Entertainer in?
The Entertainer is in C major.
How many keys do you need for The Entertainer?
76 keys are recommended.
Who composed The Entertainer?
Scott Joplin, 1902.
Can you download the sheet music for The Entertainer for free?
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
How long does it take to learn The Entertainer?
The A section in three weeks, the whole piece in months.
If this suits you
Turkish March (Rondo alla Turca) Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMozart’s rondo – the earworm everyone wants to play faster than they can.
Flight of the Bumblebee Nikolai Rimski-KorsakowThe Bumblebee – the piece by which speed has been measured for as long as pianos have existed.