ragtime — A musical style characterized by a syncopated melodic line and regularly accented accompaniment, popular in early 20th century America
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A musical style characterized by a syncopated melodic line and regularly accented accompaniment, popular in early 20th century America
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈræɡˌtaɪm/
Example Sentences
- The old saloon piano played ragtime tunes that made everyone's feet tap uncontrollably.
- My grandmother tried to play ragtime on her smartphone, but the classical pianist next door called it 'digital disaster music.'
- Ragtime music bridged the gap between classical European traditions and emerging jazz styles.
ragtime
NOUN[/ˈræɡˌtaɪm/]
A musical style characterized by a syncopated melodic line and regularly accented accompaniment, popular in early 20th century America
Syncopated ragtime piano performance
Ragtime heals the scars of wartime, becoming our cherished pastime.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Ragtime emerged in 1890s America as a musical term derived from 'ragged time', referring to the syncopated, irregular rhythmic patterns characteristic of the genre. The term reflects the fusion of African American musical traditions with European classical music, creating a distinctly American art form.
Breakdown
rag (ragged, torn, or syncopated) + time (temporal rhythm or musical meter). The 'ragged' quality refers to the deliberately off-beat, syncopated rhythms that distinguish the genre.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The old saloon piano played ragtime tunes that made everyone's feet tap uncontrollably.”
“My grandmother tried to play ragtime on her smartphone, but the classical pianist next door called it 'digital disaster music.'”
“Ragtime music bridged the gap between classical European traditions and emerging jazz styles.”
“The dancing robot malfunctioned and started moving to ragtime instead of the programmed waltz.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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