List of compositions by Scott Joplin

This is a complete list of musical compositions by Scott Joplin (November 24, 1868 – April 1, 1917), an American composer and pianist dubbed "The King of Ragtime."

Born in Arkansas just outside Texarkana, Joplin was a street performer before settling in Sedalia, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; and finally New York City, where he died in 1917. He wrote more than 40 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag" (1899), has been recognized as the archetypal rag; its rhythmic patterns, melody lines, and harmony influenced subsequent rag composers.[1]

Most of Joplin's works were published by John Stark of Sedalia, although he did use other lesser-known companies, including his own "Scott Joplin Music Publishing Company." The "Maple Leaf Rag" brought him steady income, but his finances remained precarious throughout his career.[2] His first opera, A Guest of Honor, was lost after an unsuccessful tour in 1903. After the 1953 death of his widow, Lottie, a number of manuscripts of unpublished work were lost and no copies of them are known to exist.[3]

When Joplin was learning the piano, serious musical circles condemned ragtime because of its association with the vulgar and inane songs of Tin Pan Alley.[4] As a composer, Joplin refined ragtime, developing it from the dance music played by pianists in brothels in cities like St. Louis.[5] This new art form, the classic rag, combined Afro-American folk music's syncopation and nineteenth-century European romanticism, with its harmonic schemes and its march-like tempos, in particular the works of John Philip Sousa.[6][7][8] With this as a foundation, Joplin intended his compositions to be played exactly as he wrote them – without improvisation.[9] Joplin wrote his rags as "classical" music to raise ragtime above its "cheap bordello" origins and produced work which opera historian Elise Kirk described as "...more tuneful, contrapuntal, infectious, and harmonically colorful than any others of his era."[10]

Many inconsistencies can be found among Joplin's own titles, his subtitles, and titles printed on the covers of sheet music. For the editor of the collected works this reveals publishers' "editorial casualness" as well as a view that dance-steps in the genre could be interchangeable.[11] Many of the works cannot be dated with certainty, and the pieces were not always submitted for copyright registration. In many cases the publication date is the only suggestion of when a piece was composed.[12]

List

Title Genre Year Form Keys Notes/Samples Reference
Please Say You Will Song 1895 Intro Vs1 Ch Intro Vs2 Ch Intro Vs3 Ch Bb Lyrics by Scott Joplin. [13]
A Picture of Her Face Song 1895 Intro Vs1 Ch Coda Vs2 Ch Coda F Lyrics by Scott Joplin. [13]
Great Crush Collision March March 1896 Intro AA BB CC DD E D2 E D2 Dm/F/F/Bb... [14]
Combination March March 1896 Intro AA Trans. BB Trans. CC DD Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb [14]
Harmony Club Waltz Waltz 1896 Intro AA BB CC DD EE FF GG A B Bb/Bb/Gm/Bb/G/C/F/Bb/Bb [14]
Original Rags Rag 1899 Intro AA BB CC Abbr.Intro A DD EE G/G/C/G/D/G Arranged by Charles N. Daniels, although this involvement is disputed. [15]
Maple Leaf Rag Rag 1899 AA BB A CC DD Ab/Ab/Ab/Db/Ab [14]
Swipesy Cakewalk Cakewalk 1900 Intro AA BB A CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Bb Composed in collaboration with Arthur Marshall. [16]
Peacherine Rag Rag 1901 Intro AA BB A CC DD Eb/Bb/Eb/Ab/Ab [14]
Sunflower Slow Drag Slow Drag 1901 Intro AA BB A Trans. CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb Composed in collaboration with Scott Hayden. [17]
Augustan Club Waltz Waltz 1901 Intro AA BB CC DD Coda Bb/Bb/Gm/Bb [14]
I Am Thinking of My Pickaninny Days Song 1901 Intro Vs1 Ch Vs2 Ch Bb Music by Joplin; lyrics by Henry Jackson. [18]
The Easy Winners Syncopated Two Step 1901 Intro AA BB A Trans. CC DD Ab/Ab/Ab/Db/Db [14]
A Blizzard Unknown 1901 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Mentioned in Indianapolis Freeman, November 16, 1901. [19]
Cleopha March and Two Step 1902 Intro AA BB A CC DD F/F/F/Bb/Bb [14]
A Breeze From Alabama March and Two Step 1902 Intro AA BB CC Trans. DD Trans. BB C/C/Ab/F/C [14]
Elite Syncopations Rag 1902 Intro AA BB A CC DD F/F/F/Bb/Bb [14]
The Entertainer Syncopated Two Step 1902 Intro AA BB A CC Trans. DD C/C/C/F/C [14]
March Majestic March and Two Step 1902 Intro AA BB CC D C D C G/G/C... [14]
The Strenuous Life Syncopated Two Step 1902 Intro AA BB A Trans. CC DD C/G/C/F/F [14]
The Ragtime Dance Song 1902 Intro A B CC Trans. DD EE [FF GG HH GG] Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb... Lyrics by Scott Joplin. [20]
Something Doing Syncopated Two Step 1903 Intro AA BB A CC DD F/F/F/Bb/Bb Composed in collaboration with Scott Hayden. [17]
Weeping Willow Syncopated Two Step 1903 Intro AA BB A CC DD G/G/G/C/C [14]
Little Black Baby Song 1903 Intro Vs1 Ch1 Vs2 Ch2 Bb Music by Joplin; lyrics by Louise Armstrong Bristol. [18]
Palm Leaf Rag Rag 1903 Intro AA BB CC Trans. AA Bb/Bb/Eb/Bb [14]
A Guest of Honor Opera 1903 2 acts Unknown. Lost. [14]
Dude's Parade Opera Excerpt 1903 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Excerpt from A Guest of Honor. Announced in the Indianapolis Freeman, September 12, 1903. [21]
Patriotic Patrol Opera Excerpt 1903 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Excerpt from A Guest of Honor. Announced in the Indianapolis Freeman, September 12, 1903. [15]
Maple Leaf Rag Song 1904 Intro Vs1 Ch Int1 Intro Vs2 Ch Int2 Intro Vs3 Ch Eb Lyrics by Sydney Brown. A simplified arrangement not produced by Joplin. [22]
The Sycamore Rag 1904 Intro AA BB CC DD G/G/C/C [14]
The Favorite Syncopated Two Step 1904 Intro AA BB A CC DD Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb/Eb [14]
The Cascades Rag 1904 Intro AA BB Trans. CC DD C/C/Bb/Eb [14]
The Chrysanthemum Intermezzo 1904 Intro AA BB A CC DD C Bb/F/Bb/Eb/Cm/Eb [14]
Bethena Syncopated Waltz 1905 Intro A Trans. BB Trans. A Trans. CC Trans. DD EE Trans. A Coda G/Bb/G/F/Bm/D/G [14]
Binks' Waltz Waltz 1905 Intro AA BB A CC A Coda Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb/Bb [14]
Sarah Dear Song 1905 Intro Vs1 Ch Vs2 Ch F Music by Joplin; lyrics by Henry Jackson. [23]
The Rosebud March March and Two Step 1905 Intro AA BB CC Trans. AA G/G/C/G [14]
Leola Syncopated Two Step 1905 AA BB A CC DD Ab/Ab/Ab/Db/Ab [14]
You Stand Good with Me, Babe Song 1905 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Announced in Indianapolis Freeman, July 22, 1905. [24][14]
Eugenia Rag 1906 Intro AA BB A C D C D C Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb... [14]
The Ragtime Dance Stop-Time Two Step 1906 Intro AA BB CC [DD EE FF] Bb/Eb... [14]
Antoinette March and Two Step 1906 Intro AA BB C D C D C G/G/C... [14]
Good-bye Old Gal Good-bye Song 1906 Intro Vs1 Ch Ch Vs2 Ch Ch F Music by H. Carroll Taylor, lyrics by Mac Darden, arranged by Joplin. [25]
Snoring Sampson: A Quarrel in Ragtime Song 1907 Intro Vs1 Ch Vs2 Ch C Music & lyrics by Harry La Mertha, arranged by Joplin. [17]
The Nonpareil (None To Equal) Syncopated Two Step 1907 Intro AA BB CC DD Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb [14]
When Your Hair Is Like The Snow Song 1907 Intro Vs1 Ch Vs2 Ch C Music by Joplin; lyrics by Owen Spendthrift. [16]
Gladiolus Rag Rag 1907 AA BB A CC DD Ab/Ab/Ab/Db/Db [14]
Searchlight Rag Rag 1907 Intro AA BB A CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb [14]
Lily Queen Syncopated Two Step 1907 Intro AA BB A CC DD C/C/C/F/F By Arthur Marshall, edited by Joplin. [26]
Rose Leaf Rag Syncopated Two Step 1907 Intro AA BB A CC DD C/C/C/F/F [14]
Heliotrope Bouquet Slow Drag 1907 Intro A BB A CC DD G/G/G/C/C Composed in collaboration with Louis Chauvin. [25]
Fig Leaf Rag Rag 1908 Intro AA BB A CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb [27]
Sugar Cane Syncopated Two Step 1908 AA BB A CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Bb [27]
Sensation Rag 1908 AA BB A CC D G/G/G/C/C Composed by Joseph F. Lamb, arranged by Joplin. [28]
Pine Apple Rag Rag 1908 Intro AA BB A CC DD Bb/Bb/Bb/Eb/Eb [27]
School of Ragtime – 6 Exercises for Piano Exercise 1908 AA; BB; CC; DD; EE; FF C [27]
Pleasant Moments Syncopated Waltz 1909 Intro A BB A CC A Coda G/D/G/C/G [27]
Wall Street Rag Rag 1909 Intro AA BB CC DD C/C/F/F [27][29]
Solace Habanera 1909 Intro AA BB A CC DD C/C/C/F/F [27]
Country Club Syncopated Two Step 1909 Intro AA BB A CC DD C/C/C/F/F [27]
Euphonic Sounds Syncopated Novelty 1909 Intro AA BB A CC A Coda Bb/Bb/Bb/F/Bb [27]
Paragon Rag Rag 1909 Intro AA BB A CC DD G/G/G/C/C [27]
Stoptime Rag Stop-Time Two Step 1910 AA BB A CC DD EE D FF GG C/Am/C... [27]
Pine Apple Rag Song 1910 Intro Vs1A Vs1B Ch Vs2A Vs2B Ch Eb Lyrics by Joe Snyder. [30]
Treemonisha Opera 1911 3 acts, 27 chapters N/A [27][31]
Overature Operatic Overature 1911 - - Scored for orchestra (survives in piano reduction). [31]
The Bag of Luck Operatic Quintet 1911 - - Scored for Zodzetrick, Monisha, Ned, Treemonisha, and Remus. [31]
The Corn Huskers Operatic Chorus 1911 - - Scored for Chorus, Treemonisha, and Remus. [31]
We're Goin' Around (A Ring Play) Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Andy, and Chorus. [31]
The Wreath Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, Lucy, Monisha, Chorus. [31]
The Sacred Tree Operatic Aria 1911 - - Scored for Monisha. [31]
Surprised Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, and Chorus. [31]
Treemonisha's Bringing Up Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Monisha, Treemonisha, and Chorus. [31]
Good Advice Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Parson Alltalk, and Chorus. [31]
Confusion Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Monisha, Chorus, Lucy, Ned, and Remus. [31]
Superstition Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Simon, and Chorus. [31]
Treemonisha in Peril Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Simon, Chorus, Zodzetrick, Luddud, and Cephus. [31]
Frolic of the Bears Operatic Ballet 1911 Intro A B1 B2 C Trans. A B1 B2 C Trans. A Coda - Scored for Chorus. [31]
The Wasp Nest Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Simon, Chorus, and Cephus. [31]
The Rescue Operatic Duet 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, and Remus. [31]
We Will Rest Awhile / Song of the Cotton Pickers Operatic Quartet 1911 - - Scored for Chorus. [31]
Going Home Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, Remus, and Chorus. [31]
Aunt Dinah Has Blowed de Horn Operatic Chorus 1911 - - Scored for Chorus. [31]
Prelude to Act III Operatic Prelude 1911 A BB CC A Coda G/Bb/C/G Scored for orchestra (survives in piano reduction). [31]
I Want To See My Child Operatic Duet 1911 - - Scored for Monisha, and Ned. [31]
Treemonisha's Return Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Monisha, Ned, Remus, Treemonisha, Chorus, Andy, Zodzetrick, and Luddud. [31]
Wrong is Never Right Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Remus, and Chorus. [31]
Abuse Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Andy, Chorus, and Treemonisha. [31]
When Villains Ramble Far and Near (A Lecture) Operatic Aria 1911 - - Scored for Ned. [31]
Conjurors Forgiven Operatic Ensemble 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, Andy, and Chorus. [31]
We Will Trust You As Our Leader Operatic Finale 1911 - - Scored for Treemonisha, and Chorus. [31]
A Real Slow Drag Operatic Syncopated Dance 1911 Intro A B1 B2 Trans. CC B1 B2 Coda Bm/F/Bb/F Scored for Treemonisha, Lucy, and Chorus. [31]
Felicity Rag Syncopated Two Step 1911 Intro AA BB CC Trans. DD C/C/C/F/C Composed in collaboration with Scott Hayden; attributed to circa 1903. [32]
Lovin' Babe Song 1911 Intro Vs1 Ch Vs2 Ch G Lyrics by Al. R. Turner, arranged by Joplin. [33]
Scott Joplin's New Rag Rag 1912 Intro AA BB A CC Trans. D A Coda C/Am/C/C/Em/C [27]
Kismet Rag Rag 1913 Intro AA BB A CC DD C/G/C/F/C Composed in collaboration with Scott Hayden; attributed to circa 1903. [33]
A Real Slow Drag Syncopated Dance 1913 Intro A B1 B2 Trans. CC B1 B2 Coda Bm/F/Bb/F Revised excerpt from Treemonisha. [27]
Prelude to Act III Prelude 1913 A BB CC A Coda G/Bb/C/G Revised excerpt from Treemonisha. [27]
Scott Joplin's New Rag Rag 1914 Intro AA BB A CC Trans. D A Coda C/Am/C/C/Em/C Revised republication. [34]
The Silver Swan Rag 1914 Intro AA BB A CC Intro A Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb/Bb Originally issued as a player piano roll; posthumously transcribed and published in 1971. [27]
Magnetic Rag Rag 1914 Intro AA BB CC Trans. DD AA Coda Bb/Gm/Bb/Bbm/Bb [27]
Frolic of the Bears Syncopated Waltz 1915 Intro A B1 B2 C Trans. A B1 B2 C Trans. A Coda Em Revised excerpt from Treemonisha. [35]
Magnetic Rag Song 1915(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, and Harriet Janis in 1950. [36]
Confidence Rag Rag 1915(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – incomplete, and unpublished. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, and Harriet Janis in 1950. [36]
For the Sake of All Song 1915(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – incomplete, and unpublished. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, and Harriet Janis in 1950. [27]
Morning Glories Song 1915 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – incomplete, and unpublished. Announced by the composer in the Indianapolis Freeman newspaper, September 4, 1915. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, and Harriet Janis in 1950. [37]
Syncopated Jamboree Vaudeville Act 1915 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Announced in the Indianapolis Freeman newspaper, September 18, 1915. [38]
Pretty Pansy Rag Rag 1915(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. A copy was given by the composer to Martin Niederhoffer. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, Harriet Janis, and performed by James P. Johnson in 1950. [39]
Recitative Rag Rag 1915(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Seen by biographers Rudi Blesh, Harriet Janis, and performed by James P. Johnson in 1950. [36]
If Musical Comedy 1916 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – unpublished. Announced as completed in the New York Age September 7, 1916. [40]
Symphony No. 1 Symphony 1916 Unknown. Unknown. Lost – incomplete, and unpublished. Announced in the New York Age September 7, 1916. [40]
Piano Concerto Piano Concerto 1917(?) Unknown. Unknown. Lost – incomplete, and unpublished. [30]
Reflection Rag Rag 1917 Intro AA BB CC DD EE Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb/Eb Published posthumously by Stark. Likely composed in 1907. [41]
Cover pages of various works
  • Third edition of the "Maple Leaf Rag" sheet music, pre 1923
  • Sunflower Slow Drag, 1901
  • Bethena, 1905
  • The Ragtime Dance, 1906
  • Nonpareil, 1907
  • Solace, 1909
  • Treemonisha, 1911
  • Magnetic Rag, 1914

References

  1. ^ Blesh 1981, p. xxiii.
  2. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 52, 56 & 58.
  3. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 246–248.
  4. ^ Curtis 1999, pp. 37–88
  5. ^ Whitcomb 1986, p. 24.
  6. ^ Jasen & Tichenor 1978, p. 88.
  7. ^ Davis 1995, pp. 67–68.
  8. ^ Williams 1987.
  9. ^ Scott & Rutkoff 2001, p. 37.
  10. ^ Kirk 2001, p. 190.
  11. ^ Vera Brodsky Lawrence, Editor's Note pix, Scott Joplin Complete Piano Works, New York Public Library, 1981.
  12. ^ Index p. 325, Scott Joplin Complete Piano Works, New York Public Library, 1981.
  13. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 265, 268.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Berlin 1994, p. 269.
  15. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 264, 269.
  16. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 268, 269.
  17. ^ a b c Berlin 1994, pp. 267, 269.
  18. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 263, 269.
  19. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 260, 269.
  20. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 265, 269.
  21. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 261, 269.
  22. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 131, 264, 269.
  23. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 266, 269.
  24. ^ Berlin 1994, p. 268.
  25. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 262, 269.
  26. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 169, 263, 269.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Berlin 1994, p. 270.
  28. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 266, 270.
  29. ^ Edwards, Bill. "Rags and Pieces by Scott Joplin (1906-1917)". RAGPIANO. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  30. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 265, 270.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Treemonisha (Joplin, Scott)". IMSLP Petrucci Music Library. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  32. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 262, 270.
  33. ^ a b Berlin 1994, pp. 263, 270.
  34. ^ "Scott Joplin's New Rag (Joplin, Scott)". IMSLP Petrucci Music Library. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  35. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 235, 262, 270.
  36. ^ a b c Berlin 2016, p. 322.
  37. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 235, 264, 270.
  38. ^ Berlin 1994, pp. 235, 268, 270.
  39. ^ Berlin 2016, p. 301.
  40. ^ a b Berlin 2016, p. 303.
  41. ^ Berlin 2016, p. 306.

Bibliography

Further reading

  • Media related to Compositions by Scott Joplin at Wikimedia Commons
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