Ragtime
Ragtime developed as a popular musical style at the end of the 19th Century. It has its origins in the saloon bars and dance halls of African-American communities.
It was originally played on solo piano. The left hand played a very steady rhythm - a A repeated musical phrase, usually used as an accompaniment style accompaniment which is on the beat. The right hand played a With a rhythm based on the weaker or off beats of a piece of music melody - originally known as a 鈥榬agged鈥 rhythm.
Ragtime music was written down, not improvised. Scott Joplin was the most famous ragtime composer. When his 'Maple Leaf Rag' was first printed in 1899, it quickly sold a million copies.
Ragtime music was played at a time before music could be recorded. But specific music could be played back on an instrument called a A mechanical piano operated using spools of paper. Holes punched in the paper represent different notes and 'programme' the piano to play particular pieces of music.
Listen to this audio clip of 'Maple Leaf Rag' by Scott Joplin played on the piano. Notice the steady beat played by the left hand and the syncopation in the right hand. This piece is in simple time.
Maple Leaf Rag performed by Scott Joplin
Here the Soweto Kinch Trio play their contemporary version of 'Maple Leaf Rag'. 'Ragtime It' is performed by saxophone, drums and double bass. Listen for lots of arpeggios within the melody. Notice the drums and double bass playing a vamp on the beat whilst the saxophone plays the melody in a syncopated rhythm.
Soweto Kinch performing 'Ragtime It'