RAGTIME: With the rhythms from African musical heritage incorporated into Cakewalks, Coon Songs and the music of Jig Bands such as marches, waltzes and traditional songs later evolved into Ragtime during the late 19th century. The main elements of Ragtime being different type of syncopations in 2/4 and 4/4 meters as opposed to the regular rhythmic structures prevailing during that time. Ragtime music remained as a popular dance music until the arrival of Blues and Jazz around 1910-1915.
The first Ragtime composition was published by Ben Harney. Around the same time, a young classically trained pianist Scott Joplin published the first of many Ragtime compositions in 1899 such as Maple Leaf Rag, The Preaching Rag and so on. Igor Stravinsky (1882- 1971) a neo-classical composer wrote Ragtime for 11 instruments in 1918, and Ragtime for Piano in 1920.

[Note: This Ragtime piece is intended for intermediate guitarists who are comfortable with finger-picking style. This piece is transcribed as a solo guitar in two-part writing from the original piano transcription. The left-hand fingerings are indicated according to my comfort level.- Ozz]