Ragtime

Ragtime
(RAG-time)

An American style of music characterized by "ragged" or syncopated rhythms. It was popular between the 1890's and the 1910's. Scott Joplin was a major exponent of ragtime. By the 1920's ragtime had given way to jazz.

SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLES:

Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag: W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 3, Track 47
Debussy: Children's Corner Suite, "Golliwog's Cakewalk": W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 1, Track 51
Yelvington: Piffle Rag: W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 3, Track 48

Dictionary Home