PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 11 keys

Joplin · The Entertainer

Scott Joplin, The Entertainer (1902) · 16 s · 54 notes · public domain
12383

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

Joplin · The Entertainer piano notes: D D♯ E C E C E C · C D D♯ E C D E B · D C D D♯ E C E C …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

1D·2D♯·3E·8C·3E·8C·3E·8C·
8C·9D·10D♯·11E·8C·9D·11E·7B·
9D·8C·1D·2D♯·3E·8C·3E·8C·
3E·8C·6A·5G·4F♯·6A·8C·11E·
9D·8C·6A·9D·1D·2D♯·3E·8C·
3E·8C·3E·8C·8C·9D·10D♯·11E·
8C·9D·11E·7B·9D·8C·

How to play Joplin · The Entertainer on the piano

The opening of Scott Joplin's ragtime "The Entertainer" (1902), made famous again by the film The Sting (1973). Here in C major, with its two black keys (D♯ and F♯).

This easy version uses 11 white keys and the right hand only: 54 notes, about 16 seconds at 100 BPM in 2/4 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: D4 (above middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1DD4above middle C
2D♯D♯4above middle C
3EE4above middle C
4F♯F♯4above middle C
5GG4above middle C
6AA4above middle C
7BB4above middle C
8CC5above middle C
9DD5above middle C
10D♯D♯5above middle C
11EE5above middle C

Joplin · The Entertainer in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

D D♯ E C E C E C

C D D♯ E C D E B

D C D D♯ E C E C

E C A G F♯ A C E

D C A D D D♯ E C

E C E C C D D♯ E

C D E B D C

Questions

How many keys do I need for Joplin · The Entertainer?

11 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = D, 2 = D♯, 3 = E, 4 = F♯, 5 = G, 6 = A, 7 = B, 8 = C, 9 = D, 10 = D♯, 11 = E.

What are the first notes of Joplin · The Entertainer?

In numbers: 1 2 3 8 3 8 3 8. In letter notes: D D♯ E C E C E C.

Is Joplin · The Entertainer free to play and share?

Yes. Joplin · The Entertainer is in the public domain (Scott Joplin, The Entertainer (1902)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–11 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 16 seconds at 100 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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