What is Ragtime?
Ragtime music is a forerunner of jazz music and was popular around 1900. It grew from African American musical traditions, combining the jig and march styles commonly performed by African American bands. Ragtime became immensely popular as a musical style and a dance. It is called ragtime because of its syncopated, or ragged, rhythms.
What Makes Ragtime Sound the Way It Does?
This video is great for older children to hear how all the musical parts come together to make this fun, upbeat music. Listen as the video separates out what each hand is playing and then what happens when you bring those parts back together again.
Ragtime Music Deep Dive
Ragtime Playlist
Enjoy this playlist featuring famous rags composed by Scott Joplin and other composers.