Definition: A predecessor of jazz, ragtime became popular in the late 1800s through wide distribution of printed music. Based on the march, popularized by John Philip Sousa, ragtime was written to accompany dancing. Its buoyant and cheerful style carried into stride piano and other early forms of jazz. Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton were the most famous composers of ragtime music.
Ragtime
From Jacob Teichroew, former About.com Guide
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