Scott Joplin and the Musical Hiccup

Scott Joplin created a musical “hiccup” that made pianos skip and dance in unexpected ways. This episode explores how ragtime got its name from “ragged time” and became America’s first original musical style.

Duration: 22 minutes | Composer: Scott Joplin

What You'll Learn

Learn what syncopation is — when music puts accents on the 'off' beats, creating rhythms that surprise you and make you want to move
Discover how ragtime got its name — from 'ragged time,' music where the rhythm seems to stumble and skip in the most delightful way
Understand that ragtime was the first uniquely American musical style, blending African rhythms with European piano traditions
Learn about perseverance and believing in your art — Joplin wanted ragtime to be respected as serious music, not just entertainment
Explore how ragtime pieces are built from different 'strains' or sections, like rooms in a musical house

Music Featured

Composer	Title	Source
Scott Joplin	Maple Leaf Rag	archive.org
Scott Joplin	The Entertainer	archive.org
Scott Joplin	Pleasant Moments (Ragtime Waltz)	archive.org
Scott Joplin	The Easy Winners	archive.org
Scott Joplin	The Cascades	archive.org
Scott Joplin	Bethena (A Concert Waltz)	archive.org
Scott Joplin	Gladiolus Rag	archive.org
Scott Joplin	Sunflower Slow Drag	archive.org

🎼 Scott Joplin 📚 Classical Bedtime 🏷️ bedtime 🏷️ birth 🏷️ children 🏷️ classical 🏷️ educational 🏷️ infectious 🏷️ joplin 🏷️ ragtime 🏷️ rhythms 🏷️ syncopation