🎷Music History – Jazz Unit 2 – Ragtime & Early Jazz: Joplin to Morton

Origins and Context

• Ragtime emerged in the late 19th century as a fusion of African-American folk music, European classical music, and popular dance music
• Developed primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States, particularly in African-American communities
• Influenced by the syncopated rhythms and improvisational nature of African music traditions
• Coincided with the rise of piano manufacturing and the popularity of sheet music sales
• Reflected the social and cultural changes of the post-Civil War era, including the growth of African-American communities in urban centers
• Served as a precursor to jazz, influencing its rhythmic and harmonic structures
• Popularized through performances in saloons, brothels, and other entertainment venues

Key Figures and Innovators

• Scott Joplin, known as the "King of Ragtime," composed numerous influential ragtime pieces (Maple Leaf Rag, The Entertainer)
  • His compositions featured intricate syncopation, melodic sophistication, and classical influences
  • Helped elevate ragtime from a folk style to a more formalized musical genre
• James Scott, a prominent ragtime composer, known for his virtuosic and technically demanding compositions (Frog Legs Rag, Grace and Beauty)
• Joseph Lamb, a white composer who learned ragtime from African-American musicians, composed complex and harmonically adventurous pieces (American Beauty Rag)
• Tom Turpin, an African-American composer and pianist, owned the Rosebud Bar in St. Louis, a hub for ragtime performances (Harlem Rag)
• Eubie Blake, a pianist and composer who bridged the gap between ragtime and early jazz (Charleston Rag)
• Jelly Roll Morton, a pivotal figure in the transition from ragtime to jazz, incorporating elements of both styles in his compositions (King Porter Stomp)

Musical Characteristics

• Syncopated rhythms, with accents on the weak beats, creating a "ragged" or "jagged" feel
• Use of a steady, march-like bass line in the left hand, often referred to as the "oom-pah" bass
• Right-hand melodies featuring intricate syncopation, chromaticism, and embellishments
• Incorporation of multiple sections or "strains," each with its own distinct melody and character
• Modulation to different keys within a composition, adding harmonic variety and interest
• Use of "stop-time" breaks, where the regular rhythm is suspended for dramatic effect
• Integration of elements from European classical music, such as ternary form and counterpoint
• Emphasis on piano as the primary instrument for composition and performance

Influential Compositions

• Maple Leaf Rag (1899) by Scott Joplin
  • Considered the archetypal ragtime composition, setting the standard for the genre
  • Features a memorable main theme and showcases Joplin's gift for melodic invention
• The Entertainer (1902) by Scott Joplin
  • Gained widespread popularity and became one of the most recognizable ragtime pieces
  • Demonstrates Joplin's ability to create engaging and accessible melodies
• Frog Legs Rag (1906) by James Scott
  • Showcases Scott's technical prowess and innovative use of syncopation
  • Features challenging left-hand leaps and intricate right-hand figurations
• American Beauty Rag (1913) by Joseph Lamb
  • Exhibits Lamb's sophisticated harmonic language and complex compositional structure
  • Incorporates elements of classical music, such as counterpoint and thematic development
• Original Rags (1899) by Scott Joplin
  • One of Joplin's earliest published compositions, helping to establish his reputation
  • Demonstrates the influence of African-American folk music on ragtime

Cultural Impact

• Ragtime became a nationwide craze, appealing to both African-American and white audiences
• Helped to break down racial barriers in the music industry, as African-American composers and performers gained recognition and popularity
• Influenced the development of early jazz, with many jazz musicians drawing inspiration from ragtime's syncopated rhythms and improvisational spirit
• Contributed to the growth of the music publishing industry, with ragtime sheet music becoming a highly profitable commodity
• Reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of the early 20th century, as African-American music gained mainstream acceptance
• Inspired the creation of ragtime-influenced dance styles, such as the cakewalk and the two-step
• Served as a source of pride and cultural identity for African-American communities

Performance Practices

• Ragtime was primarily performed on the piano, with solo pianists showcasing their technical skill and interpretive abilities
• Performances often took place in saloons, brothels, and other entertainment venues, as well as in more respectable settings like vaudeville theaters and concert halls
• Pianists would frequently embellish and improvise upon the written score, adding their own personal touch to the compositions
• "Cutting contests" were common, where pianists would engage in musical battles, trying to outplay and outshine each other
• Ragtime music was also adapted for other instrumental ensembles, such as brass bands and string orchestras
• Sheet music sales allowed amateur pianists to learn and perform ragtime pieces in their own homes
• The popularity of player pianos helped to disseminate ragtime music to a wider audience, as the pianos could reproduce the complex rhythms and syncopations of the genre

Evolution and Legacy

• Ragtime's popularity began to wane in the late 1910s, as new musical styles like jazz and blues gained prominence
• Many ragtime composers and performers transitioned into the jazz idiom, incorporating elements of ragtime into their new musical explorations
• The revival of interest in ragtime occurred in the 1940s and 1950s, with the rediscovery of Scott Joplin's music and the publication of his complete works
• The 1973 film "The Sting" featured Joplin's music prominently, sparking a renewed interest in ragtime among the general public
• Ragtime's influence can be heard in various musical genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and classical music
• Contemporary composers have continued to write and perform ragtime-inspired pieces, keeping the spirit of the genre alive
• Ragtime remains an important part of American musical history, representing a crucial link between African-American folk traditions and the development of jazz

Related Genres and Styles

• Stride piano, an offshoot of ragtime that emerged in the 1920s, featuring a more complex and virtuosic left-hand technique (James P. Johnson, Fats Waller)
• Novelty piano, a style that incorporated elements of ragtime, jazz, and classical music, often featuring programmatic or descriptive titles (Zez Confrey, Roy Bargy)
• Classic blues, a vocal-based genre that developed alongside ragtime, featuring female singers accompanied by piano or small ensembles (Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith)
• New Orleans jazz, a style that grew out of the ragtime tradition, incorporating collective improvisation and a greater emphasis on individual soloists (King Oliver, Louis Armstrong)
• Boogie-woogie, a blues-based piano style that emerged in the 1920s, featuring a driving left-hand bass line and improvisational right-hand figures (Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons)
• Swing music, a style of jazz that developed in the 1930s, incorporating elements of ragtime's syncopated rhythms and melodic inventiveness (Duke Ellington, Count Basie)