The Birth of Syncopation
Ragtime emerged in the late 19th century as the first distinctly American musical genre. Characterized by its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm, ragtime was primarily a piano music that blended African-American musical traditions with European classical forms.
The genre flourished between 1895 and 1918, with its popularity peaking around the turn of the 20th century. Played in saloons, brothels, and eventually middle-class parlors, ragtime provided the rhythmic foundation for what would become jazz.
Musical Characteristics
- Syncopation: Accented notes between the beats creating a "ragged" rhythm
- March tempo: Usually 2/4 or 4/4 time with steady left-hand bass patterns
- Structured form: Typically AABBACCDD with each section being 16 measures
- Piano focus: Though later adapted for bands, originally composed for solo piano
Key Ragtime Figures
Scott Joplin
"King of Ragtime" (1868-1917)
Composer of "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer"
James Scott
(1885-1938)
Composer of "Frog Legs Rag" and "Grace and Beauty"
Joseph Lamb
(1887-1960)
Composer of "American Beauty Rag"
Essential Recordings
Maple Leaf Rag
Scott Joplin (1899)
The Entertainer
Scott Joplin (1902)
Black and White Rag
George Botsford (1908)
Ragtime Timeline
1897
Publication of "Mississippi Rag"William Krell's "Mississippi Rag" becomes the first published instrumental rag, though it was not syncopated throughout like later rags.
1899
"Maple Leaf Rag" publishedScott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" becomes the genre's first major hit, selling over one million copies of sheet music and establishing ragtime as a popular musical form.
1911
Alexander's Ragtime BandIrving Berlin's "Alexander's Ragtime Band" becomes a national sensation, though it's more of a ragtime-inspired song than a true rag.
1917
Death of Scott JoplinThe "King of Ragtime" dies, marking the end of ragtime's peak popularity as jazz begins to emerge as the dominant African-American musical form.
Ragtime's Legacy
Influence on Jazz
Ragtime's syncopated rhythms directly influenced early jazz piano styles like stride. The left-hand patterns of ragtime evolved into the walking basslines of jazz.
Many early jazz musicians like Jelly Roll Morton began as ragtime pianists, bridging the gap between the two genres.
Cultural Impact
Ragtime was the first African-American music to gain widespread popularity among white audiences, helping to break down racial barriers in American music.
The 1973 film "The Sting" sparked a ragtime revival when it featured Scott Joplin's music, including "The Entertainer" which became a top-40 pop hit.
Modern Ragtime Revival
While ragtime faded as jazz emerged, it has experienced several revivals. Contemporary performers like Reginald Robinson and Adam Swanson continue to keep the tradition alive, and ragtime festivals are held annually across the United States.