Ragtime

began to combine several styles together, this included Gospel music, March music, and African American dance styles like the Cakewalk and the two-step along with syncopation. This style was given a new genre called Ragtime. Ragtime music became widely popular in the United States around 1890’s through the 1900’s and was a precursor to Jazz. Ragtime is a musical genre that is composed for the piano typically in a duple meter. It contained a syncopated lead, which is played with the right hand, played over a rhythmically steady bass. The composition of Ragtime usually consists of three or four contrasting sections and each of these sections are either in 16 or 32 measures in length (History of Ragtime). Syncopation is the upsetting of beat by changing the accent to either a weak beat or an offbeat. Syncopation occurs by moving the beat ahead or behind where it is expects it to be. This loosens up the music and gives the…

In the Novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow we are given much historical insight on the changes affecting the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s. These changes are not only shown through the context of the novel, but through the three families and individual characters represented in the book. Characters react to the changing environment around them in many different ways. Some changes affecting characters in good ways and some in not so good ways. Doctorow shows many social changes…

Ragtime and blues are the foundations of jazz. Both were initially very popular among African Americans as jazz came from an African background. The blues contain the musical structure of jazz with the 12 bar pattern, while ragtime supplies the unique syncopations and improvisations. The early musicians of blues and ragtime would eventually provide the transition necessary to move into jazz.…

The Carmel Community Players’ production of Ragtime by Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty was heartfelt, but it also captured the struggles of the early 20th century America.. This musical was directed by Doug Peet--shown on April 29, 2018-- did not grab the attention of. Ragtime would not have proven to be successful if not for some of the few select actors within the production. The setting for this full-length drama takes place in the early 20th century, in mostly New York…

Ragtime music appeared during a period of ballads and parlor music, so ragtime was a source of rebellion in the musical world. Ragtime is a term to identify an era of American music original between the years 1896 and 1917; Ragtime set a new agenda in popular music and brought forth a social revolution. Historical ragtime was pioneered by the black population and was resisted by the Victorian style music of the time (Ostendorf, 579), which makes sense to why only the black sheep of the family,…

As one of the most quintessentially American musical genres, jazz reflects the vast diversity of the United States’s active cultural and ethnic traditions. Though jazz did not distinguish itself as a distinct form until the late 19th century, it draws from other tributary sources, namely ragtime and blues. Indeed, an essential characteristic of jazz is its ability to constantly evolve and incorporate elements of antecedent and contemporary music that lend it vitality and richness. Defined by…

musicians that are credited with making jazz into what it is today, one of the earliest attributors was the “King of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin. Joplin earned his title due to his success—despite racial barriers—in developing the sub-genre of ragtime in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Joplin’s sound and style created a crucial link in the history of jazz and laid the foundations for future musicians to further progress the genre. The term “ragging” is derived from the art of…

Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" is full of such entertainment, considering being named one of ragtime most famous pieces. Joplin's music brought happiness to a mood. The intense off beat melody, while including sense of a march can swiftly grab your observation. As well as the upbeat which can be consider a mood enhancer. Joplin first set motion preforming in scenery's including bars and dance halls that practiced ragtime rituals. Residing in a outskirt town of Missouri, Scott then became…

The song “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin. Scott gained his recognition “in ragtime history” because “he was a composer of the idiom’s most refined and sophisticated piano rags” (Berlin 45). Scott Joplin’s music career as well as some of his higher educational training began after his move to Sedalia, Missouri. At Sedalia, he performed with a group called the Queen City Cornet Band. Later, he left the group to form his own band, which consisted of a cornet, clarinet, E-flat tuba, baritone,…

Harry Houdini: Death Defying Escape Artist The handcuff king, death defying showman, best magician of all time. Erich Weiss was known as many things, but one name is known by all: Harry Houdini. Erich was born in Europe, but soon moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where he visited the local circuses and found he was a natural acrobat. (5) When Erich was eight his father lost his job which later lead him to run away. houdini showed many examples of perseverance, like spending many hours escaping…