Notice that the notes are not even and at the same time they are not what we consider swing either. I searched the net to offer something which I think is closer to the original feel of Ragtime music and found this gem recorded by Ragtime Pianist Bob Milne. I will introduce the number with a shortened version of this post in order to enlighten them to the background and misuse of the original style. I would like my audience to recognize the music as they are used to hearing it, even though it is incorrect. On our next concert we are performing an arrangement of “And All That Jazz” and I have asked my players to play the eighth notes even or straight, not with a swing feel (which is historically more accurate). Do we play Rags with a swing feel or with even eighth notes? Unfortunately the technology used to punch the holes in these piano rolls was note accurate enough to accurately represent the long, short notes performed by the Ragtime piano players and their owners learned incorrectly to play rags with even note values.īecause of the limitations in the manufacturing of piano rolls, the correct swing rhythm of piano rags was replaced by even note values or straight rhythm. Many homes were furnished with these musical wonders and the latest piano roll was heard throughout the land. In order to make available the newest popular songs to the public, the player piano was invented.
Ragtime musical songs series#
This was represented as a series of long followed by short note valves. These songs were more casual than the European music enjoyed at that time and contained the distinctive American slang and the African- American derived melodies and rhythms.Īfter Irving Berlin’ success with “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, the whole nation’s musical tastes shifted away from the sentimental waltz songs and operettas of that time to the new music- Ragtime. To address this dilemma, I will explain the differences and why I choose to perform Ragtime music incorrectly.īen Harney first introduced his style of broken rhythms from Africa to the public in his compositions which he called ragtime songs. In my case, I know how it should be played but have doubts that it truly needs to be played correctly. To most people, the question of how one should play the rhythms in Ragtime music seldom comes to mind.
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