I remember when I turned 11 back in 1974 that my father had brought
home a record of "The Sting" which had the Scott Joplin rags.  Then
a few months later he bought other recording of Scott Joplin's rags
including the recording made by Joshua Rifkin.  I noticed at the time
that Joshua Rifkin played the Scott Joplin rags at the correct tempo
like the way they were supposed to be played.

About a year later my parents gave me a book of Scott Joplin's rags
so I can play them on the piano.  When I looked through it I noticed
that there was often a brief note indicating that the music is not
meant to be played at a fast tempo.

If you notice the suggested tempo in almost every case is a slow march
tempo.  Generally Scott Joplin's rags should be played no faster than
a moderate tempo.   However if they are played too slow they will sound
like a funeral dirge.  If you play them too fast you'll spoil them and
they won't sound good.

If you want to play them at the correct speed set your metronome to
100 beats per minute and try to play the rags at the above number.
That will be the appropriate tempo of almost all of Scott Joplin's
rags.  Some of the later ones should probably be played slightly
slower.

Jeff Alterman