11th Street Rag

Euday L. Bowman

ModernKnownrhapsodyC majorRagtime tempo2/4~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

This classic ragtime work is a staple of early 20th-century American piano music, defined by its infectious syncopated rhythms and stride-influenced accompaniment. Its distinctiveness lies in the juxtaposition of a driving left hand against a syncopated, rhythmic melody.

Teacher notes

The primary hurdle is establishing a rock-solid stride left hand while keeping the right-hand syncopations feeling loose and natural.

Technical focus

left-hand-independencearticulationwide-span

Mood

playfulenergetic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to 11th Street Rag

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is 11th Street Rag by Euday L. Bowman?

11th Street Rag is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.

What level do I need to play 11th Street Rag?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is 11th Street Rag?

A typical performance of 11th Street Rag lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 11th Street Rag?

11th Street Rag is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to 11th Street Rag?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include 12th Street Rag by Euday L. Bowman, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.