A musical genre characterized by syncopated rhythms, popular in the early 20th century, typically played on piano.
From 'ragged time,' referring to the syncopated, 'ragged' rhythm that characterized this music style. The term emerged in the 1890s when this distinctively American musical form, with roots in African American communities, began gaining widespread popularity.
Scott Joplin, the 'King of Ragtime,' composed 'The Entertainer' and other classics that are still instantly recognizable today - the bouncy, syncopated rhythm was revolutionary for its time. Ragtime was actually the precursor to jazz, and its 'ragged' timing influenced all American popular music that followed.
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