How To Write Piano Ragtime Music

Here's How:

1. I’ve used the first 4 notes from Joplin’s “The Entertainer” – but in my version the tune starts ON the beat.

2. Then I repeated the pattern, but a perfect 4th higher. This repeating of an identical pattern at a different pitch (higher OR lower) is also known as a sequence.

3. We don’t want the song to be boring. To spice things up, I changed direction, making the tune go DOWN instead of up. This is basically a couple of broken chords on C and A minor, with the added note D to make it all a bit smoother.

4. Because the tune is in the key of C, at the half-way stage I bring it to rest on G – the dominant. This is how a lot of songs work.

5. The next step is to repeat the first 3 bars, but this time he 3rd bar omits the A minor broken chord and uses two C chords instead. Again, this simple change adds variety and interest.

6. Finally, you need an ending that sounds final. I’ve achieved it by repeating the descending C chord (omitting the A minor) and finishing off with a B-C chord movement. Note that the left hand plays along with the right in the last bar to emphasize the finality.

7. I’ve used simple chords in the left hand to complement the tune, which are – C, C7, F, F minor, C, Am, D7, G7. The second half of the song uses the same chords, but finishing with no A minor, and no chords in the last bar.

   You’ll also notice that the left hand is staccato, while the right hand is legato throughout. This helps to differentiate between the melody and the accompaniment.

8. Now Write Your Own! See how easy it is? Of course, I’ve been writing music for a while. You might find it takes a bit of practice to get things right. But don’t let that stop you. Have a go! It’s not as hard as you think.

Tips:

1. Take your time.

2. Start simply with just a tune.

3. Build the new tune up slowly, one bar at a time.

4. Keep the left hand as basic as possible.

5. Try to make a difference between the two hands.