ORIGIN OF RAG TIME.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 357, 12 March 1903, Page 6

ORIGIN OF RAG TIME.

Sanaa, tfco Famous AmtrlM* BaadmMHtr. Credits I« to «a« OldTime Western Hn«-Bowu. I have read a number of explanations of "rag time", that are mainly interesting because they do not explain. saysJohn Philip Sousa in the New York World. These syncopation of voca' melody is common to all language.* and nations having words accented like "brother," "mother," "liar," "briar." America undoubtedly has more piano players of the amateur sort than any other country. The imitative quality, together with acuteness of ear, is a common atribute of young people. It is often a matter of wonderment to understand how one of the youngsters will "vamp" an accompaniment to anything and everything. They all "'compose,"" that is. let their fingers fall in pleasant places on the piano keys, from wlih-li springs a more or less trite composition, following the popular style of the moment. To this class. I believe, belongs the credit of originating the words "rag time." Some years ago one of them sung for me a darky song, and after playing a simple accompaniment he said: "I have another accompanir ment. a regular rag time." and proceeded to play a' syncopated movement of i lie same melody, in which, to the dominant and touic chords were added the sixth of the scale, a characteristic of French hurdy-gurdy music. The movement of the right hand at the piano suggested the rhythm of linnd-elappitig used in some of our •ountry dances. The common "call" in lie "western hoe ag"- is probably responsible for the nvi-niion of the term "rag time" referred to the accompaniment and not Lo the tune.