Class Material

Ragtime, a syncopated musical style, one forerunner of jazz and the predominant style of American popular music from about 1899 to 1917. Ragtime found its characteristic expression in formally structured piano compositions. The regularly accented left-hand beat, in 4/4 or 2/4 time, was opposed in the right hand by a fast, bouncy syncopated melody that gave the music its powerful forward impetus.

Dixieland developed in the early 20th century (1900 – 1928); its four main influences were ragtime, military brass bands, the blues, and gospel music. The usual instrumentation of a Dixieland band was (and still is) trumpet (or cornet), clarinet, trombone, piano, string bass (or tuba), drums, and banjo.

Big band swing was at the forefront of jazz and underwent its most concentrated growth and development from 1930 – 1945. The Swing Era is also known as the Big Band Era since the number of instruments in these bands was considerably larger than during the previous Dixieland era. While any jazz band with 10 or more instruments is considered a big band, the most common number of instruments in a big band was (and still is) 17.

Bebop was at the forefront of jazz and went through its most concentrated growth and development from 1940 – 1955. Bebop was primarily played by small groups (combos). A typical bebop combo is comprised of two horns (e.g., trumpet and saxophone) and rhythm section (piano, bass, and drums). Although usually a quintet, bebop combos can range in size from three pieces (e.g., piano, bass, and drums) to seven pieces (e.g., three horns, guitar, and three rhythm). Whereas in Big Band Swing the focus is on the arrangement and the playing of the ensemble, in bebop the focus is on the soloist.