Handy is the first person to publish a composition with the term "Blues" in the title and utilizing "blue notes, " which are flatted thirds and sevenths. ... He played ragtime on the piano. ... Johnson is one of the originators of the style known as stride piano. ... Johnson is one of the originators of the style known as stride piano. ... His father was a Baptist minister and his mother played the organ and piano. ...

• Word Count: 2036
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Ragtime, a syncopated and cheerful form, invoked loose dancing styles from its piano centered music. ... Most often, it was the piano that helped to create this syncopated rhythm. ... Syncopation was noted as "the anticipatory emission of a note, shifting it from the strong part of one beat to the weak part of the preceding beat" (Hodier 200). For example, the note would be played a third of the beat ahead of time and last until two thirds of the next beat. ... Instead of emphasizing different notes, blues performers would not play some beats. ...

• Word Count: 1458
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

Also, the African scale, which contains notes flatted on the 3rd, 7th, and sometimes 5th degrees, is directly translated into blues music, which also incorporates slides into its instrumental form. ... Primarily instrumental, ragtime was commonly performed on piano or arranged for brass bands. ... They were the first to use the piano as a rhythm instrument, and to combine it with the banjo, the tuba, and in later pieces, the upright bass, in a rhythm section. ... Finally, this music made the piano, drums, and bass important solo instruments, as in Bebop, all instruments played an equal r...

• Word Count: 1710
• Approx Pages: 7