My latest assigned music to learn is Rose Leaf Rag and Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin, the “king of ragtime”. Joplin became famous in 1899 for his Maple Leaf Rag which we’ve probably all heard but these two pieces are lesser known. I can’t believe that he only lived to be 48 but managed to write over 100 pieces of music. I’m also excited to be learning music by an African-American composer. He sounds like a really interesting person.