VVJan22

By: Yvonne Cloutier / Musical Moments
In general, a good definition of ragtime music
would be the accenting of the off-beat in
music rhythm. This off-beat rhythm is usually in
the treble (right hand) notes, set to a steady oompah or boom chick,
boom chick of the bass notes with the left hand on the piano.
This rhythm is called syncopation. Ragtime is full of syncopation!
Classic ragtime was pioneered after the Civil War, mainly by Scott Joplin.
He was a poor black man and from the Missouri School of Ragtime
Composers - specifically, St. Louis and middle America. This region was
the cradle for the blossoming of ragtime music.
Joplin and other young ragtime composers realized there needed
to be a defining structure. There was little consensus on how to print
the syncopated melodies of ragtime, making confusing variety in the
formatting of sheet music.
For instance, should it be 4/4 time or 2/4 time? It often followed
conventions of earlier musical forms such as the march.
So, as the 20th century dawned, most composers, arrangers, and
publishers began to settle on a common structural way to notate it.
Since Joplin was the best-selling ragtime composer in that era, it was
his structural conventions that eventually predominated.
However, by no means was Joplin’s the only form. There actually
were two other men recognized for their haunting, harmonious
compositions within this structure guideline.
Besides Scott Joplin there was James Scott and a German,
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What is Ragtime Music?
Not For Me
By: Pat Alexander / Art of Entertaining
We were talking about “bucket lists” the
other day, probably
because we were deciding how
to celebrate the New Year. A friend had taken a ride
in a two-seater plane and loved it - except for the 360
degree roll that made her airsick.
She asked if any of us would try it. Me? I’m trying to
celebrate life, not end it, so that was a solid “No.”
Does it sound as though I’m not adventuresome?
In fact, I’ll try most things, just not small planes,
climbing or jumping.
As a kid I climbed a tree because it looked so inviting.
Halfway up I discovered a snake wrapped around a
limb. The decision to jump took no time at all.
I looked at the snake, looked at the ground and let
go. Good choice? Who’s to know? I do know my arm was in a sling.
I was spending the summer with my mom’s friend in another state,
so mom didn’t get the details until I went home. Lucky for me!
What I remember most is the pain and boredom. Since my mother’s
friend had a busy life, I spent a lot of time with her “housekeeper,” her
Uncle Mack, a cranky ex-sailor who ran the household.
January 2022
Joseph Lamb. They
are often referred to as
the Bach, Beethoven &
Brahms of Ragtime.
A classic rag is set
in 2/4 time, starting
with a 4 measure
introduction with 16
measures of an “A”
theme written in the
named key signature,
then repeated. A “B”
theme enters and is
repeated, followed by a
repeat of the A theme in
the name signature.
Then there is a third
(C) theme repeated, a
fourth theme (D) repeated making the rag - INTRO, AA, BB, A, CC, DD.
Although a generalization, this is accepted as the classic form.
Yvonne Cloutier, a former teacher/principal, with a music
background, specializes in ragtime piano. She is the author of the
book, Scott Joplin, King of Ragtime. You can contact her at www.
mytimeisragtime.com.
He took pity on a bored kid, and we did a lot of cooking together.
Mack had a very colorful vocabulary, and I learned a lot of “new words”
that summer.
In Mack’s kitchen I first learned to experiment with
food. And although I couldn’t bake because of the
strength and dexterity needed, cooking was easy and
fun.
This recipe is his and it’s really simple. When I
prepare it, I think of Mack, a gruff man with a kind
heart.
Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce
Season 2-4 pork chops. Sauté 6 oz. sliced
mushrooms. Set aside. Brown chops in 2 tbs. oil in
oven-proof skillet. Add mushrooms, 2 sliced onions
and 1 sliced red pepper.
Dissolve beef bouillon cube in ¼ cup hot water, mix
with can of tomato sauce. Add one tsp. each garlic and
onion powders and dried basil. Pour over chops. Cover.
Bake in 375 degrees oven to internal temperature of 145 degrees 35-
45 minutes. Rest 5 minutes.
Pat Alexander writes about all things home. She is well known for
her cooking, parties and interior design, and consults on kitchen
and bath remodels.