Folk ragtime
Encyclopedia
Folk ragtime is a subgenre of ragtime
, a distinctly American music. It is thought to have originated with illiterate itinerant African American
piano players, who learned the syncopated music not formally, but through their peers. Folk Ragtime as a form stayed active until the early 1920s, when young America shifted its attention to early jazz. It was later revived, starting in 1947 with the 'rediscovery' of Sanford Brunson Campbell
(March 20, 1884 - November 23, 1952) who was one of the most noted folk ragtimers as well as a student of Scott Joplin
, and then in the early 1960s by the now foremost authority on Folk Ragtime, Trebor Jay Tichenor
(1940- ). Another exponent of folk ragtime was Thomas Shea
(November 14, 1931 - March 12, 1982); his music is sometimes referred to as "prairie ragtime."
The writers of folk ragtime often simply mixed together themes of theirs in a random fashion, in structure loosely resembling the typical Classic Rag structure (IntroAABBACCDD.) Good testimony of this are the legendary multiple takes of Folk Rags by Sanford Brunson Campbell, recorded on acetates in 1947. They illustrate a performer who embellishes and improvises on basic themes, at times seeming as if he is making it all up as he goes along.
In terms of melodic and harmonic content, Folk Rags have a distinct blues
influence. In addition to themes based on 12-bar patterns, the non blues-structured themes almost incorporate flatted 'blue' notes. Many themes in Folk rags are based on tonic-dominant chord relations with forays into other simple chords. A typical chord progression in B major would go:
B|B|E|E|B|B|F7|F7|B|B|E|E|B|F7|B|B :||
I |I |IV|IV|I |I |V7|V7|I |I |IV|IV|I |V7|I |I :||
At the center of the revival of folk ragtime has been historian, collector, and composer/pianist Trebor Jay Tichenor
. His modern interpretations of Folk Ragtime, as well as his original compositions in the style, have set the standard for all folk ragtime pianists today. Some of his noted works are: "Hickory Smoked Rag" (1974), "Days Beyond Recall" (circa. 1960), and "Pierce City Rag" (circa. 1961) among many others.
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
, a distinctly American music. It is thought to have originated with illiterate itinerant African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
piano players, who learned the syncopated music not formally, but through their peers. Folk Ragtime as a form stayed active until the early 1920s, when young America shifted its attention to early jazz. It was later revived, starting in 1947 with the 'rediscovery' of Sanford Brunson Campbell
Brun Campbell
Brun Campbell was an American composer and pianist. Born Sanford Brunson Campbell in Oberlin, Kansas, he ran away to Oklahoma City when he was fifteen and met Scott Joplin. For the next decade, he made his living as a traveling pianist in the Midwestern and Southern United States...
(March 20, 1884 - November 23, 1952) who was one of the most noted folk ragtimers as well as a student of Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
, and then in the early 1960s by the now foremost authority on Folk Ragtime, Trebor Jay Tichenor
Trebor Jay Tichenor
Trebor Jay Tichenor is a recognized authority on Scott Joplin and the ragtime era. He has collected and published others' ragtime piano compositions and composed his own. He has authored books about ragtime, and both on his own and as a member of The St. Louis Ragtimers, has become a widely known...
(1940- ). Another exponent of folk ragtime was Thomas Shea
Thomas Shea (composer)
Thomas William Shea was an American ragtime composer.Born in Mattoon, Illinois, United States, Shea studied piano briefly as a child, but later became interested in ragtime after hearing the "Maple Leaf Rag." After learning some ragtime by ear, he started composing his own rags...
(November 14, 1931 - March 12, 1982); his music is sometimes referred to as "prairie ragtime."
The writers of folk ragtime often simply mixed together themes of theirs in a random fashion, in structure loosely resembling the typical Classic Rag structure (IntroAABBACCDD.) Good testimony of this are the legendary multiple takes of Folk Rags by Sanford Brunson Campbell, recorded on acetates in 1947. They illustrate a performer who embellishes and improvises on basic themes, at times seeming as if he is making it all up as he goes along.
In terms of melodic and harmonic content, Folk Rags have a distinct blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
influence. In addition to themes based on 12-bar patterns, the non blues-structured themes almost incorporate flatted 'blue' notes. Many themes in Folk rags are based on tonic-dominant chord relations with forays into other simple chords. A typical chord progression in B major would go:
B|B|E|E|B|B|F7|F7|B|B|E|E|B|F7|B|B :||
I |I |IV|IV|I |I |V7|V7|I |I |IV|IV|I |V7|I |I :||
At the center of the revival of folk ragtime has been historian, collector, and composer/pianist Trebor Jay Tichenor
Trebor Jay Tichenor
Trebor Jay Tichenor is a recognized authority on Scott Joplin and the ragtime era. He has collected and published others' ragtime piano compositions and composed his own. He has authored books about ragtime, and both on his own and as a member of The St. Louis Ragtimers, has become a widely known...
. His modern interpretations of Folk Ragtime, as well as his original compositions in the style, have set the standard for all folk ragtime pianists today. Some of his noted works are: "Hickory Smoked Rag" (1974), "Days Beyond Recall" (circa. 1960), and "Pierce City Rag" (circa. 1961) among many others.