3.2 Ragtime: style, composers, and social context
3 min read•august 6, 2024
Ragtime revolutionized American music with its syncopated rhythms and infectious melodies. Born from African American musical traditions, it blended elements of marches, cakewalks, and classical music into a unique style that captivated audiences across racial lines.
, the "King of Ragtime," led the charge in popularizing this genre. His compositions, like "," showcased the hallmarks of ragtime: syncopated melodies, steady left-hand rhythms, and the demanding technique.
Ragtime Musical Characteristics
Syncopated Rhythms and Marches
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- Features , a rhythmic technique that emphasizes off-beats or weak beats in the music
- Utilizes a steady, march-like rhythm in the left hand, providing a strong foundation (oom-pah bass)
- Incorporates the cakewalk rhythm, a syncopated rhythm derived from a dance popularized by African Americans in the late 19th century
- Employs a "ragged" or "ragged time" rhythm, which involves shifting accents to weak beats, creating an effect of rhythmic displacement
Stride Piano Technique
- Characterized by the use of stride piano, a style of playing that involves the left hand alternating between low bass notes and chords in a wide range on the keyboard
- Stride piano technique demands a high level of skill and dexterity from the pianist
- Allows for a full, rich sound that mimics the effect of a larger ensemble
- Contributes to the lively, energetic character of ragtime music (fast tempos, intricate rhythms)
Notable Ragtime Composers
Scott Joplin
- Considered the "King of Ragtime" and the most famous ragtime composer
- Composed over 100 ragtime pieces, including "" and "Maple Leaf Rag"
- Elevated ragtime from its origins in African American communities to a more mainstream and respected musical form
- Wrote a ragtime opera called "Treemonisha," which combined ragtime with classical opera elements
Other Influential Composers
- James Scott, known for his "Climax Rag" and other virtuosic compositions that expanded the technical possibilities of ragtime
- Joseph Lamb, a white composer who learned ragtime from studying Joplin's published scores and contributed to the "classic rag" style ("Sensation Rag")
- Eubie Blake, an African American composer who helped bridge the gap between ragtime and early ("Charleston Rag")
Significant Ragtime Works
Iconic Ragtime Compositions
- "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin, published in 1899, became the first instrumental piece to sell over one million copies of sheet music
- "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin, another highly popular rag that gained renewed interest in the 1970s due to its use in the film "The Sting"
- "Frog Legs Rag" by James Scott, showcasing his innovative use of chromatic harmonies and complex syncopations
Ragtime Dissemination and Preservation
- Piano rolls, which are perforated paper rolls used to operate player pianos, helped spread ragtime music to a wider audience
- Recordings of ragtime compositions, both by the original composers and later interpreters, have preserved the music for future generations
- Scott Joplin's opera "Treemonisha," though not fully appreciated in his lifetime, represents an ambitious attempt to elevate ragtime to a more serious art form, combining ragtime elements with classical opera traditions (recitatives, arias, ensemble numbers)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Blues: The blues is a music genre that originated in the African American communities of the Deep South in the late 19th century, characterized by its use of specific chord progressions, melancholic themes, and expressive lyrics. The blues served as a powerful form of emotional expression, reflecting the struggles and experiences of African Americans, while also influencing various music styles and cultural movements throughout history.
Cultural Exchange: Cultural exchange refers to the sharing of ideas, values, and customs between different cultures, leading to mutual influence and adaptation. This process is significant in the context of musical styles, where diverse cultural elements blend together, creating new genres and forms of expression. The interaction between African American music and other musical traditions, particularly during the Ragtime era, illustrates how cultural exchange enriches artistic practices and fosters creativity across communities.
Great Migration: The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970, primarily seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial discrimination. This migration significantly influenced various musical forms, cultural expressions, and social dynamics within the African American community.
Harlem Renaissance: The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s. This movement celebrated African American culture, producing a wealth of literature, music, and art that highlighted the contributions of Black Americans to American society. The Harlem Renaissance fostered a sense of racial pride and identity, influencing various musical styles like jazz and blues, while promoting the works of key figures who left a lasting impact on American culture.
Jazz: Jazz is a vibrant musical genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its syncopated rhythms, improvisation, and unique blend of African and European musical traditions. This dynamic art form reflects the cultural experiences and social realities of African Americans, making it a significant cultural expression that connects to various historical contexts.
Jim Crow Era: The Jim Crow Era refers to a period of enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States, primarily from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. This era was marked by laws and practices that upheld white supremacy and systematically marginalized Black individuals, influencing various aspects of society, including music, culture, and public life. The cultural expressions of African Americans during this time, such as the development of blues and ragtime, emerged as both a response to and a means of resisting the oppressive social climate.
Maple Leaf Rag: Maple Leaf Rag is a famous piano composition by Scott Joplin, published in 1899, that exemplifies the ragtime genre. This piece played a critical role in the popularization of ragtime music, influencing the development of jazz and showcasing the complexity and syncopation that characterized African American musical styles during this era. As one of the most recognizable rags, it not only marked a significant moment in music history but also reflected the social dynamics of the time.
March form: March form is a musical structure commonly used in the composition of marches, characterized by a clear and repetitive format that often includes a contrasting trio section. This form is significant in the context of ragtime, as it influences the rhythmic and melodic patterns found in many ragtime pieces, reflecting the military and social roots of the genre while also serving as a framework for improvisation and creativity.
Polyrhythms: Polyrhythms are the simultaneous use of two or more contrasting rhythms within a musical composition, often creating complex and intricate sound patterns. This concept is deeply rooted in African music traditions, where layered rhythmic structures enhance the overall musical experience and contribute to various forms of expression across genres.
Progressive Era: The Progressive Era refers to a period in American history from the 1890s to the 1920s characterized by social activism and political reform aimed at addressing the challenges brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. This era saw an increase in efforts to improve social justice, including the promotion of civil rights for African Americans, which significantly influenced music styles like ragtime as it became a voice for social change and a reflection of contemporary issues.
Racial integration: Racial integration refers to the process of incorporating individuals of different races into the same social, educational, and economic environments. It emphasizes the importance of equality, allowing people from diverse racial backgrounds to coexist and interact in various aspects of life, breaking down segregationist practices and ideologies. This process was critical in reshaping cultural expressions, particularly in music, as it fostered collaboration and innovation among artists from different racial groups.
Savoy Ballroom: The Savoy Ballroom was a famous dance hall located in Harlem, New York City, that became a central hub for the African American dance and music scene during the 1920s and 1930s. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and role in the evolution of swing dancing, the Savoy attracted top jazz musicians and dancers, reflecting the cultural vitality of the time while fostering a sense of community and expression within the African American population.
Scott Joplin: Scott Joplin was an influential African American composer and pianist, best known for his contributions to the ragtime genre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works, particularly 'Maple Leaf Rag' and 'The Entertainer,' helped popularize ragtime music, which is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies. Joplin's role in shaping this style was crucial, connecting it to broader musical developments that would eventually lead to the emergence of jazz.
Stride piano: Stride piano is a jazz piano style that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by a left-hand technique that plays a bass note and a chord in a syncopated rhythm, while the right hand plays melodies and improvisations. This style connects deeply with ragtime music, evolving from its syncopated patterns and rhythmic complexity, while also laying the groundwork for later jazz developments.
Stuyvesant Casino: The Stuyvesant Casino was a prominent social and entertainment venue in New York City during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specifically associated with the flourishing ragtime music scene. It served as a hub for African American musicians and audiences, where they could gather to enjoy performances and socialize, reflecting the broader cultural dynamics of the time. This establishment played a critical role in popularizing ragtime music and fostering connections among composers, performers, and the growing African American community.
Syncopation: Syncopation is a musical technique where the expected rhythmic pattern is disrupted by shifting the accent to a weaker beat or a part of a beat, creating a feeling of surprise or tension. This rhythmic complexity enhances the expressiveness and energy of various musical forms, allowing for more dynamic performances and emotional depth.
The Entertainer: The Entertainer is a classic ragtime composition by Scott Joplin, originally published in 1902. This piece epitomizes the style and essence of ragtime music, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies. The composition reflects the social context of the early 20th century, showcasing how African American musicians were gaining recognition and contributing significantly to American music culture during this period.