I worked in Ride Operations (Frontierland) at Disneyland from ‘69 to ‘73. Almost every day after my shift I would stop on the way out by Coke Corner to watch Rod Miller play the piano. This was my favorite tune and he never refused to play it when I asked him to do so. He maintained that he could not read music. Once, a young girl asked if he knew The Entertainer (since this was popular after the movie, The Sting, had come out). He feigned ignorance and had her sit down at the piano and show him. About half-way through the piece he got behind her and reached around her with both hands to play the piece octaves apart. He really made this girl happy as he did for so many others. He was truly a Great Entertainer. For those of you posting negative comments about the way it is played, why don’t you post your own version here and let us see how it should “really” be played.
All of you that dislike this because he's playing it fast, you obviously overlooked he's an entertainer at Disneyland! his job is to entertain seven year old kids. tThe whole purpose is to play an extremely hard piece of music incredibly fast to amaze is audience. If you want a well perfomed classical piece of music, go to the opera hall or something not disneyland.
I remember watching this video a lot when I was a kid and started playing blues and traditional jazz. I can't believe it's been almost 17 years. Time flies, just as his hands on this mindblowing performance.
This is the way I remember him from when I used to work in the park. I would go on my days off and stand for hours at a time just to listen and chat with him. Rod didn't have to work to play the tunes; he WAS the tunes and merely bringing the music out. His energy and enthusiasm really made the difference in his playing. I miss him dearly. HE WAS THE BEST!
Fantastic! For those who say he's playing too fast, you're missing the point. Obviously he is "amping it up" for effect. It's called SHOWBOATING or showing off. In that sense, he's paying homage to the novelty acts of the early 20th Century. Keep in mind - this is in Disneyland! He's catching people's attention and having fun!
What a DUMB comment! I played this song by Scott Joplin NUMBEROUS times and it's VERY difficult to play. Rod Miller is playing this in a different key and he's added some things to the song. I'd say this dude deserves some PROPS! He's one of the KINGS in my opinion. Over three decades of playing for disneyland speaks VOLUMES in my opinion.
We ALL know that this piece is supposed to played slower - WE ALL KNOW THAT and he knows that too. This guy was known for his fast playing and personality. I've been to Disneyland too many times to know that. I'm sure when he goes home at night, he can play the most heart-felt, incredibly meaningful classical piece at the correct tempo. Yes, he's playing it too fast BUT he's not playing a concert at Carnegie Hall....he's a Disneyland entertaining for a bunch of tourists for godsakes.
I don't care what anyone says, this guy friggin ROCKS! I know ragtime is not supposed to be played fast but this guy is obviously having a ball playing it! And he even improves it. The amazing thing is that he doesn't even seem to be concentrating at all! His hands just move by them selves! AWESOME!
What a nice thing to find on RUclips! I went to Anaheim several years back and duetted with Rod for a half-hour or so in the evening - what a great guy!
I worked at Disneyland back in the mid 70’s across Main St from Rod. We used to talk on his lunch. I was amazed to find out he couldn’t read music and he played by ear. On a day off I was in the park and I watched him play. He could play any song you named and he could make it ragtime
I can't even begin to comprehend what this beast of a piano player is doing. He's playing a syncopated rhythm, at a ridiculous speed, while not looking half the time, while carrying on the occasional mini conversation. He's even playing his own version of a song, while improvising (probably) all while keeping a steady, syncopated rhythm. I feel like I have been slapped in the face by God.
I remember him, when I visit Disneyland in early 90's, he was there, I met him in the swimming pool, he go to swim almost every night, live close to Cerritos , CA. Met him in grocery store 2 years ago said he retired already ..I hope he is doing well now!
Rod was the best. He was perfect for the job. Disneyland has not been the same since he stopped working there. His playing of Maple Leaf was a signature piece for him. For anyone that states, "you're not supposed to play it this way" the correct reply is "YOU are not supposed to play it this way, if that's what you want. Rod and anyone else can play it any way they want." That's the great thing about great music, it stands up to different interpretations. This version is perfect.
Man, this guy is great! i mean, I'm no piano player, trust me, but this guy rocks! when i go there in two weeks, I'd love to see the guy play, he has a GREAT stage presence, thats what makes this a quaddrillion times better!
@mediaguardian yeah, but it's not like people at Disney are gonna critique him. They're gonna want to see stuff that seems more talented than sounds good. Disney is always trying to be better and faster, etc. So they probably want anyone working there to do the same
Rod Miller needs some sort of civil award for being the greatest man alive, i love his cheeky eyebrow raises that say 'im the greatest thing since sliced bread, and i know it'.
....from a piano player that made a good livin as a kid for seven years playing Ragtime........this man is THE BEST ragtime pianist in my time....in my opinion.
So well stated, Mechonized, if Rod played the piece straight, people would yawn and walk away unimpressed. Disneyland has a big WOW factor. A performer must be unique and exceptional to last 35 years in that setting. People kept coming back over the years to see him.
I agree. It is fun just to watch him play while he grins and talks to the crowd. Simply great. I can play it fast if I wanted to or to "Tempo de Marcia" or throw in a bit of improvisation to make it stand from the others. I think there are room for some of these ragtime pieces to do those things. Simply fun to watch him play. Who cares what other people say putting him down for playing it fast. He certainly did not mangle it. Criminy, this was at Disney Land. Have a little fun, people.
@mediaguardian Yeah, but ragtime is so much fun to play fast! Plus, if you listen carefully, Rod really simplified the piece so all the notes didn't get convoluted like they would have had the actual piece, as Joplin wrote it, been played this fast.
Great! Just noticed - G MAJOR!? I play ragtime as well, and I sit between the purists and the let'em rips. In the end, the philosophy I find works well here is that we need 'em both. There are a lot of guys out there making great ragtime music, the steady Eddies like Joshua Rifkin and Dick Hymen, as well as the wilder ones like Marty Mincer and Sue Keller. I'm thrilled that I discovered a ragtimer that I didn't know before. Bravo, Rod! (Even if it's in the wrong key ;-))
I hear you buddy, I've been practicing this piece for years and I still can't even come close to 75% of his speed. Never mind with that much clarity AND improvisation. Rod miller is a true modern god of Ragtime.
I spent months for this piece. I finally come close to play it without mistake and relatively fast. But this just makes me want to give up. So impressive..... wow... just wow... :/
Man, I miss Rod Miller. He's a legend in Dineyland history. I hope he's happy, wherever he is. That man's got major talent with the piano. And he's so nice, too!
That was amazing! Its kinda hard to talk and play at the same time, but to play scott joplin, at double speed, AND improv at the same time. This man is epic.
Giants like MR. ROD MILLER can make and may do whatever they want with his instrument and talent. If too fast, not the originally key etc. etc. sounds silly comments, don`t talk nonsense just enjoy one of the greates ever. I heard him for hours twice at Disney´s and were one of my two happiest days in life!
For all you people that say he played it too fast with too many wrong notes, just shut up. He truly is amazing and just because you can't do as well doesn't mean that you can insult him
I worked in Ride Operations (Frontierland) at Disneyland from ‘69 to ‘73. Almost every day after my shift I would stop on the way out by Coke Corner to watch Rod Miller play the piano. This was my favorite tune and he never refused to play it when I asked him to do so. He maintained that he could not read music. Once, a young girl asked if he knew The Entertainer (since this was popular after the movie, The Sting, had come out). He feigned ignorance and had her sit down at the piano and show him. About half-way through the piece he got behind her and reached around her with both hands to play the piece octaves apart. He really made this girl happy as he did for so many others. He was truly a Great Entertainer. For those of you posting negative comments about the way it is played, why don’t you post your own version here and let us see how it should “really” be played.
All of you that dislike this because he's playing it fast, you obviously overlooked he's an entertainer at Disneyland! his job is to entertain seven year old kids. tThe whole purpose is to play an extremely hard piece of music incredibly fast to amaze is audience. If you want a well perfomed classical piece of music, go to the opera hall or something not disneyland.
I remember watching this video a lot when I was a kid and started playing blues and traditional jazz.
I can't believe it's been almost 17 years.
Time flies, just as his hands on this mindblowing performance.
When I saw the video length I assumed it was only a part of the piece.
I was wrong.
This is the way I remember him from when I used to work in the park. I would go on my days off and stand for hours at a time just to listen and chat with him. Rod didn't have to work to play the tunes; he WAS the tunes and merely bringing the music out. His energy and enthusiasm really made the difference in his playing. I miss him dearly. HE WAS THE BEST!
Fantastic! For those who say he's playing too fast, you're missing the point.
Obviously he is "amping it up" for effect. It's called SHOWBOATING or showing off. In that sense, he's paying homage to the novelty acts of the early 20th Century.
Keep in mind - this is in Disneyland! He's catching people's attention and having fun!
Genius interpretation. 😮
This never ceases to amaze me! So intense but so laid back yet almost comical!
LMAO, i love how he SHREDS it on the piano while looking at ppl and smiling, LMAO
The smiles lol
What a DUMB comment! I played this song by Scott Joplin NUMBEROUS times and it's VERY difficult to play. Rod Miller is playing this in a different key and he's added some things to the song. I'd say this dude deserves some PROPS! He's one of the KINGS in my opinion. Over three decades of playing for disneyland speaks VOLUMES in my opinion.
When I was 11 years old at Disneyland, he let me sit-in and play his piano. I also played "maple leaf rag" by Scott Joplin. I'll never forget him..
My fingers got cramps just watching Rod do this.
We ALL know that this piece is supposed to played slower - WE ALL KNOW THAT and he knows that too. This guy was known for his fast playing and personality. I've been to Disneyland too many times to know that. I'm sure when he goes home at night, he can play the most heart-felt, incredibly meaningful classical piece at the correct tempo. Yes, he's playing it too fast BUT he's not playing a concert at Carnegie Hall....he's a Disneyland entertaining for a bunch of tourists for godsakes.
I don't care what anyone says, this guy friggin ROCKS! I know ragtime is not supposed to be played fast but this guy is obviously having a ball playing it! And he even improves it. The amazing thing is that he doesn't even seem to be concentrating at all! His hands just move by them selves! AWESOME!
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Get's me every time. What a maniac!! :D
All I can say is WOW! This guy is terrific! Wish I had heard him in person!
I love watching Rod Miller play. Always with a big smile on his face and smoke coming out of the piano! lol
In one word - Awesome
What a nice thing to find on RUclips! I went to Anaheim several years back and duetted with Rod for a half-hour or so in the evening - what a great guy!
you gotta be kidding me. this is incredible. this guy's a genius on the keys
His sister and I lived in the apartment behind Rod in the earlyb70s. Some of the best years of my life.
I worked at Disneyland back in the mid 70’s across Main St from Rod. We used to talk on his lunch. I was amazed to find out he couldn’t read music and he played by ear.
On a day off I was in the park and I watched him play. He could play any song you named and he could make it ragtime
Love that despite the faster than normal tempo, he kept the correct and same tempo throughout... Amazing... no words!
One of many great musicians who played regularly at Disneyland. That was one of the best parts of going there.
This guy is amazing! It makes me want to get up and dance! :)
I don't like overly fast ragtime but that's incredible. His improvisation was great too.
This is one of my favorite piano performances on the internet.
My dad and husband both worked at DLand and we saw this wonderful, friendly and talented guy alot. He never got tired of Joplin requests!
Wow... Incredible. That takes some talent. He did it so easily, and relaxed. Fantastic.
I miss seeing this guy play, I haven't been to Disney in long time...I always made it a point to see him whenever i was there...
I can't even begin to comprehend what this beast of a piano player is doing. He's playing a syncopated rhythm, at a ridiculous speed, while not looking half the time, while carrying on the occasional mini conversation. He's even playing his own version of a song, while improvising (probably) all while keeping a steady, syncopated rhythm. I feel like I have been slapped in the face by God.
i just love he makes it seem so easily. i mean hell he just non-chauntly says hi to a guest and doesnt miss a note
This is so awesome. Especially how he does the swings.
I remember seeing this guy play as a kid and not wanting to move on! I just wanna to hang out and listen to the crazy fast piano man
you are probably the best piano player I have ever heard!!!
I go his CD last time I saw him perform. Absolutely incredible!
The smile on his face says “hey everyone, check it out, I’m playing it in G”
My facial expression O.O oh my! Fantastic job!!!!
Rod Miller! My Idol! What he does is awesome and can not be copied! He is and will always be unique!
I remember him, when I visit Disneyland in early 90's, he was there, I met him in the swimming pool, he go to swim almost every night, live close to Cerritos , CA.
Met him in grocery store 2 years ago said he retired already ..I hope he is doing well now!
I just wanna said..!! Some day I will get to Disney again along with mi family, just to see Mr Miller play again, God bless him.
THIS VIDEO IS MY FOVOURITE!!!
Rod was the best. He was perfect for the job. Disneyland has not been the same since he stopped working there. His playing of Maple Leaf was a signature piece for him. For anyone that states, "you're not supposed to play it this way" the correct reply is "YOU are not supposed to play it this way, if that's what you want. Rod and anyone else can play it any way they want." That's the great thing about great music, it stands up to different interpretations. This version is perfect.
This is the best arrangement of maple leaf rag I’ve heard
OMG...that is just stunning.
Man, this guy is great! i mean, I'm no piano player, trust me, but this guy rocks! when i go there in two weeks, I'd love to see the guy play, he has a GREAT stage presence, thats what makes this a quaddrillion times better!
great disney land california - best piano , player saw him in person in the 90' , great piano player . I need to practice some more !
I can't say ill of this man
Keep on rocking Rod
@mediaguardian yeah, but it's not like people at Disney are gonna critique him. They're gonna want to see stuff that seems more talented than sounds good. Disney is always trying to be better and faster, etc. So they probably want anyone working there to do the same
I wouldn't mind going to Disneyland just to hear this fellow in person!!
Rod Miller needs some sort of civil award for being the greatest man alive, i love his cheeky eyebrow raises that say 'im the greatest thing since sliced bread, and i know it'.
fast and clean at that! i love rod miller
Lol, this guy is pure class. He reminds me of those old 30s movies. Or a saloon player (on steroids!). Great stuff.
This guy must be so thrilled to bring people back to that era - I would be.
love this song, and he plays it really well =)
I like how he talks a little to the crowd while playing makes me laugh :)
Agreed, he sure does play it amazingly well.
After the video stopped I bet his head spun around and he barfed pea soup on everyone. Lol
thats awesome... i want to meet him so badly...
ROD MILLER IS LEGEND! AND PART OF THE ORGINAL DISNEYLAND HISTORY. 👍👍
this is amazing
Fantastic!!!
....from a piano player that made a good livin as a kid for seven years playing Ragtime........this man is THE BEST ragtime pianist in my time....in my opinion.
great job man man man!!!!
So well stated, Mechonized, if Rod played the piece straight, people would yawn and walk away unimpressed. Disneyland has a big WOW factor. A performer must be unique and exceptional to last 35 years in that setting. People kept coming back over the years to see him.
Holy shit.
oh my god, he truly rocks! :D
I wasn't able to stay still when I heard him playing. lol
Jesus that's AMAZING!
That left hands crazy! Amazing man!
I agree. It is fun just to watch him play while he grins and talks to the crowd. Simply great. I can play it fast if I wanted to or to "Tempo de Marcia" or throw in a bit of improvisation to make it stand from the others. I think there are room for some of these ragtime pieces to do those things. Simply fun to watch him play. Who cares what other people say putting him down for playing it fast. He certainly did not mangle it. Criminy, this was at Disney Land. Have a little fun, people.
@mediaguardian Yeah, but ragtime is so much fun to play fast! Plus, if you listen carefully, Rod really simplified the piece so all the notes didn't get convoluted like they would have had the actual piece, as Joplin wrote it, been played this fast.
i love how even at that super fast speed you can hear a pulse so clearly.
And he is talking and I bet he can do it in his sleep lol.
That's some crazy awesome muscle memory right there!!
Great! Just noticed - G MAJOR!? I play ragtime as well, and I sit between the purists and the let'em rips. In the end, the philosophy I find works well here is that we need 'em both. There are a lot of guys out there making great ragtime music, the steady Eddies like Joshua Rifkin and Dick Hymen, as well as the wilder ones like Marty Mincer and Sue Keller. I'm thrilled that I discovered a ragtimer that I didn't know before. Bravo, Rod! (Even if it's in the wrong key ;-))
I hear you buddy, I've been practicing this piece for years and I still can't even come close to 75% of his speed. Never mind with that much clarity AND improvisation. Rod miller is a true modern god of Ragtime.
If feet start tappin to what your playin, then son, you're playin it right.
this guy is amazing!!!!!!!!!!
Playing fast is hard but playing this fast and have the melody come out this amazing its incredible.
Simply the best!!
I spent months for this piece. I finally come close to play it without mistake and relatively fast. But this just makes me want to give up. So impressive..... wow... just wow... :/
This guy is amazing. Never seen a faster pianist, and with so few mistakes. Love the cover of Maple Leaf too.
He's playing that tune over and over at disney so that's why he knows it by heart..lol :D
I love it!
Grandissimo! Perfect!
Dayumn that's awesome
Brilliant!
thats... FRIKKIN AWESOME!!
Man, I miss Rod Miller. He's a legend in Dineyland history. I hope he's happy, wherever he is. That man's got major talent with the piano. And he's so nice, too!
I’m sorry to say he passed away
This guy is amazing.
O my God! So good!
UNBELIEVABLE!
one amazing pianist
That was amazing! Its kinda hard to talk and play at the same time, but to play scott joplin, at double speed, AND improv at the same time. This man is epic.
That's good quality for 1993!
Giants like MR. ROD MILLER can make and may do whatever they want with his instrument and talent. If too fast, not the originally key etc. etc. sounds silly comments, don`t talk nonsense just enjoy one of the greates ever. I heard him for hours twice at Disney´s and were one of my two happiest days in life!
For all you people that say he played it too fast with too many wrong notes, just shut up. He truly is amazing and just because you can't do as well doesn't mean that you can insult him
That message was for WorldRCPianistPlayer below. Rod Miller is a fantastic player, and I've enjoyed seeing him for years at Disneyland.
ojala algun dia pueda conocerlo!! no words.
drool... he's such a nice man, i'll miss him at my next visit to dland