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They All Played Ragtime: The True Story of an American Music

Paul Reed

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A Ragtime Band Playing In A Park They All Played Ragtime The True Story Of An American Music

Ragtime was one of the most popular forms of American music in the early 20th century. It was a lively, syncopated style of music that was often played on the piano. Ragtime had its roots in African-American musical traditions, but it was quickly adopted by white musicians and composers.

They All Played Ragtime - The True Story of an American Music

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9982 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	388 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

They All Played Ragtime tells the story of the rise and fall of ragtime. The book follows the careers of some of the most famous ragtime composers and performers, including Scott Joplin, James Scott, and Joseph Lamb. The book also explores the social and cultural forces that shaped ragtime's development.

The Birth of Ragtime

Ragtime emerged in the late 19th century in the African-American community of St. Louis, Missouri. It was a blend of African-American musical traditions, such as the blues and the cakewalk, with European classical music.

One of the first ragtime composers was Scott Joplin. Joplin was born in Texas in 1868. He moved to St. Louis in 1885 and began playing the piano in local bars and honky-tonks. Joplin quickly developed his own unique style of ragtime, which was characterized by its complex syncopations and catchy melodies.

In 1899, Joplin published his most famous ragtime composition, "Maple Leaf Rag." The song was a huge success and helped to popularize ragtime across the country. Joplin went on to write many other famous ragtime songs, including "The Entertainer" and "Elite Syncopations."

The Golden Age of Ragtime

The early 20th century was the golden age of ragtime. Ragtime was played in every major city in the United States. It was featured in vaudeville shows, on Broadway, and in silent films.

Some of the most famous ragtime composers and performers of the era included:

* James Scott: Scott was a prolific ragtime composer who wrote over 500 songs. His most famous compositions include "The Ragtime King" and "Honky Tonk Rag." * Joseph Lamb: Lamb was a virtuoso pianist who was known for his incredible speed and accuracy. He was one of the first ragtime musicians to record his music. * Tom Turpin: Turpin was a blind pianist who was known for his unique style of ragtime playing. He was one of the most popular ragtime performers of the era.

The Decline of Ragtime

Ragtime began to decline in popularity in the mid-1910s. This was due in part to the rise of jazz, which was a more popular and energetic style of music. Ragtime also suffered from the fact that it was often associated with gambling and prostitution.

By the 1920s, ragtime was largely forgotten. However, it was revived in the 1950s and 1960s by a new generation of musicians. Ragtime is still played and enjoyed today by people all over the world.

The Legacy of Ragtime

Ragtime was a major force in the development of American music. It helped to shape the sound of jazz and other popular music genres. Ragtime is also a valuable historical document that provides insights into the social and cultural life of the early 20th century.

They All Played Ragtime is a fascinating and informative book about the rise and fall of ragtime. The book is full of great stories and music. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American music history.

Additional Resources

* [Ragtime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime) * [Scott Joplin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Joplin) * [The History of Ragtime](http://www.ragtime.nu/history.htm)

They All Played Ragtime - The True Story of an American Music

4.8 out of 5