Waltz in Ragtime

Ragtime evolved over the period 1895 to 1919 primarily in the African American communities in Saint Louis and along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. It is characterized by a syncopated rhythm emphasizing the off beats. Ragtime evolved from jig, cakewalk, and march music played in African American communities in that time period. Scott Joplin was one of the premier composers of ragtime waltzes and two-step dance music in this genre. Ragtime contributed to the early evolution of jazz, stride piano, and blues styles. A revival (rediscovery of Ragtime music) occurred in the late 1960's and 1970's.

Ragtime is characterized by syncopated rhythms primarily 2/4 or 4/4 with left hand chords on the 2nd and 4th beats and waltz time 3/4 with chords on the second beat. There is extensive use of secondary dominants which expands the color of the underlying harmony.