Scott Joplin

The piano music of composer Scott Joplin is an essential part of America’s cultural heritage. Joplin was born in 1829 in Phitchesbourgh, Missouri, and began studying piano at the age of six.

He went on to write more than 1,000 pieces of music, many of them inspired by his personal experiences. Some of Joplin’s best-known works include ragtime music, which was often played by African-American musicians in dance halls and pubs.

Joplin’s piano music also includes some of the earliest examples of jazz, which would later gain popularity in the early 20th century. Today, Joplin’s piano sheet music continues to be enjoyed by students and professional musicians alike.