Styles

Ragtime

A style of dance music which became popular at the end of the 19th century and which helped to influence jazz. Usually for piano solo in which the left hand plays a vamp while the right hand plays a syncopated melody. Scott Joplin (1868-1917) was the most famous composer of ragtime music. Listen to an example of a rag played on piano. 

   Notice the use of arpeggios in this example, the ‘Maple Leaf Rag’, and the use of syncopation, where a note is held over the beat of the music. Now listen to another example where this style is now played by a Dixieland band. Listen for the snare drum rolls in this excerpt.  

Musicals

A drama set to music which is performed on a stage with solo singers, chorus,orchestra/band in a pit or on stage, and scenery. It usually relies on a string of catchy tunes for its success. There is spoken dialogue in many, but not all, musicals. The singers’ voices are usually lighter than those used in opera. Well known musicals are ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Listen to an example. 

  For further examples visit Vocal Music.

Syncopation

When a weak part of the bar is accented by placing a rest on the strong beat or by tying a note to obscure the strong beat. The best examples of this are from ragtime. Listen to another excerpt in that style. 

   Listen carefully to the clear syncopation in the melody, the arpeggios in the melody, the repeated chords which alternate with a vamp in the accompaniment and the elasticity in the speed of the music, which is called rubato - a concept for Intermediate 2.

Salsa

A musical style which originated in Cuba. The most important element of Salsa is rhythm, provided by a large percussion section. Listen to an example.