Ragtime

Ragtime (sometimes spelled rag-time or rag time) is a musical style that enjoyed its peak popularity between 1895 and 1919. Its main characteristic is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. It was originally developed in the USA in the late 19th century by various composers, one of the most famous of whom is Scott Joplin (whose most famous work is "Maple Leaf Rag"). In its earliest period, ragtime was also associated with the walk (dance). After 1900, the ragtime style became very popular worldwide, and there are a number of ragtime recordings from the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the period before 1920 (but mostly before World War I).