Ragtime Riches
This genre, emerging in the late 19th century, is known for its “ragged” or syncopated rhythm.
What is Ragtime?
Ragtime developed in these U.S. communities before spreading nationwide.
What are African-American communities in the South and Midwest?
This style of jazz is marked by a strong rhythm section, syncopated rhythms, and an emphasis on danceability.
What is swing music?
Despite this 1929 economic crisis, swing music flourished as affordable entertainment.
What is the Great Depression?
Who is Scott Joplin?
Most ragtime pieces follow this form (AABBACCDD) called what.
What is the march form?
Ragtime gained popularity during these two decades.
What are the 1890s and 1910s?
Swing emerged in the late 1920s and became the dominant style of American popular music during which decade?
What is the 1930s?
Expansion of which technology allowed swing bands to reach national audiences?
What is radio? (or What is recording technology?)
Known as the “King of Swing,” his band’s 1935 Palomar Ballroom performance is often cited as the start of the Swing Era.
Who is Benny Goodman?
Ragtime music was primarily written for this instrument.
What is the piano?
Ragtime spread widely thanks to sheet music and this mechanical device.
What is the player piano?
The first widely popular jazz-based dance music in the U.S. appealed to which two major audience groups?
Who are Black and white audiences?
Swing’s rise coincided with and continued the cultural energy of this Harlem-based movement.
What is the Harlem Renaissance?
This bandleader brought sophistication and compositional depth to swing with his Cotton Club Orchestra.
Who is Duke Ellington?
The steady left-hand bass line and off-beat right-hand melody create this hallmark of ragtime.
What is syncopation?
Ragtime was a precursor to these two genres of music.
What are early jazz and swing?
Swing built on the improvisational foundation of which two earlier jazz cities?
What are New Orleans and Chicago?
Compared to earlier jazz combos, swing featured these larger ensembles of 10–16 musicians.
What are big bands?
Known for a blues-based, riff-driven style with a light, swinging rhythm section, this leader’s band defined Kansas City swing.
Who is Count Basie?
Ragtime was fully written out on sheet music, unlike this later improvisational genre.
What is jazz?
Ragtime’s popularity faded after this major world event.
What is World War I?
Name one of the major partner dances that grew directly from swing music.
What is the Lindy Hop? (or What is the Jitterbug?)
Swing music balanced written arrangements with space for what type of musical expression?
What are improvised solos?
This arranger and bandleader shaped the sound of big-band swing and influenced Benny Goodman’s arrangements.
Who is Fletcher Henderson?