Transcript Document
Ragtime • Originated in Sedalia, MO • St. Louis became the Ragtime center around 1901 • General Public first exposed to Ragtime at a series of World’s Fairs held in Omaha, Chicago, Buffalo, and the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis • RAGTIME • Chronologically New Orleans Dixieland Jazz came first but no pianist were included as this developed out of marching bands • Ragtime still has a profound effect on the development of Jazz, especially pianist. • Ragtime players were both black and white RAGTIME • Not considered true Jazz because it is composed before it is performed • Solo style • Not improvised, but has improvised feel • RAGTIME • Left hand bass and chords • Right hand melodic parts • Uses syncopation in left hand (bass notes on 1 & 3 and chords on 2 & 4) • Has a “ragged time feel” (one possibility for the origin of the name) • RAGTIME • Composers of Rags sometimes “borrowed” ideas, getting credit as the first to notate a particular rag • Somewhat Rigid Form • Shows European influence with this concern for balance • Each Rag included Four themes (or melodies) with equal stress or importance within the composition Scott Joplin 1868-1917 • • • • • • Was a classically trained pianist Composed a (1) Symphony & (2) Operas Most prolific composer of ragtime music “King of ragtime” Composed 600 tunes, published 50 1973 the movie “The Sting” revitalized interest in Joplin’s music & ragtime. • Youtube – (The Entertainer) • LISTENING JOURNAL • Maple Leaf Rag Jelly Roll Morton 1890-1941 • Best known ragtime player at the time • Claims to have invented jazz in 1902 • One of first successful Ragtime Pianist to form his own orchestra – “Jelly Roll Morton and His Red Hot Peppers • First time in jazz that personality of the performer was more important than the material – Youtube -example – Listening Journal – “Maple Leaf Rag” Ragtime and Dixieland Merge • New Orleans Dixieland bands evolved from marching bands • Clarinet, cornet, trombone, banjo, tuba, drums • Piano could replace a couple of musicians by playing bass in left hand, chords in right Ragtime and Dixieland Merge • Two major changes were • 1. The melodic concept of Rags changed • From 4 themes to two = Verse(1st theme) & Repeated Chorus (4th theme) • 2. The rhythmic aspects of the left hand of the ragtime pianist influence the feel • Dixieland band goes from a smooth 1,2,3,4 to the “ragged” 2 feel Stride piano • Not concerned with ragtime form • Played popular tunes of the day no mater what style • Only a small portion of piece was composed • Most Stride Pianist were proficient improvisers • More Intense, faster, more drive than ragtime James P. Johnson • Famous stride pianist • Composed famous tune “Charleston” • “Father of stride piano” • Youtube = The Charleston • LISTENING JOURNAL “Carolina Shout” Thomas “Fats” Waller 1904-1943 • Student of James P. Johnson • Most exciting stride player of the day • True stage performer but piano playing was suburb • In 1922 accompanies Blue Singers most notable was Bessie Smith • 1927 goes Solo *Youtube-“Your Feets Too Big” Art Tatum • One of the most versatile pianist in Jazz history • Almost completely blind • Stride playing is one of his favorites • Played with small groups but usually solo • Virtuoso technique Art Tatum • Added advanced harmonies • Was ahead of his time and influence countless piano players to come • Influence still felt today • Collection of works won a Grammy in 1973. • • YOUTUBE-example LISTENING JOURNAL “Elgie” Boogie-Woogie Piano • Great depression of the 1930s • Solo Piano often replaced bands to save money • Rent parties • Ostinato Bass – Eight beats to a measure – Bass pattern repeated in left hand – Right hand improvises using “rifts” • BOOGIE-WOOGIE • Reached its peak in the early 1930’s • Word boogie first appears on a record in1928 by Chicago’s Pine Top Smith • *Youtube - Pine Tops Boogie • *Youtube - Meade Lux Lewis – LISTENING JOURNAL Meade Lux Lewis’s “Honky Tonk Train Blues” • BOOGIE-WOOGIE • Late 1990’s Boogie-Woogie & Swing revival • Youtube • The Dirty Boogie - Brian Setzer • Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies