Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin, the “King of Ragtime.” This is a complex, difficult, multi-strain piece that is classically written in A flat major and D flat major. Joplin in his School of Ragtime - 6 exercises, emphasizes three times: “never play ragtime fast.” Most of the versions available are too fast. Not mine. The seven piano rolls made by Joplin in 1916 are, in my opinion, pumped too fast in the mistaken idea that Maple Leaf Rag should be played fast. It is a pity that Joblin couldn’t play his piece properly probably because of the lues that killed him a year later. He requested Maple Leaf Rag be played at his funeral but his wife, Lottie, wouldn’t allow it because she felt it was not funeral music. I agree. It is festival music at its very best.