Sheet Music: Sugar Cane

TitleSugar Cane
A Ragtime Two Step
Alternate titlesSugar Cane Rag
ComposerScott Joplin (1867–1917)
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyB-flat major
RangeD4–Bb6
Time signature2/4
Tempo100 BPM
Performance time2:55
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (81 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.4 MB)
Date added2010-07-03
Last updated2010-07-03
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 0.6 (below average)
Categories
Ragtime

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Saturday 3 July 2010

Tune of the Day: Sugar Cane

A Ragtime Two Step by Scott Joplin

When this rag was first published in 1908, it was evident to many that it was based on the same format of Joplin's first big hit, “Maple Leaf Rag”, which was published nine years earlier. Indeed, in the opening section “Sugar Cane” is stylistically identical to its famous predecessor. But it still rings with originality, in spite of the detractors. One of those was his now-estranged publisher John Stark, who derided Joplin's efforts of the time in personal notes. He postulated that Joplin's “spring of inspiration had run dry”, and seemed to show little compassion for the composer that had helped build his empire. Just the same, Joplin rags sold no matter who published them.