Syncopation
An important element of the Ragtime sound is the use of syncopation. Syncopation is the accenting of a note or chord on a beat of the bar which is not normally accented. To demonstrate this, first try the following example.
Now try the same example but pick the three treble strings on the second off-beat (+). A strong accent is now created on this off-beat producing a "catchy" sound.
Syncopated Chord Changes
The next thing to try is a syncopated chord change. This is when a chord that is normally played on a beat of a bar is played half a beat earlier on the "and" between the beats. The following progression is a sequence of chords that change on the first and third beats of the bar.
Example 147 is the same progression as the previous example except the second chord in each bar is played half a beat earlier.
Syncopated Melody
The final syncopation exercise involves syncopating the melody notes only. The bass line keeps to a strict tempo, on each beat of the bar. The fingers will play the treble strings of the chord half a beat earlier but the thumb plays the bass note on the beat.
First try the following example which contains chord changes on the first and third beats.
Example 149 is the same progression as the previous example except the treble strings of the second chord in each bar is played half a beat earlier. The bass note is still played on the third beat.
Lead-in Bass Notes - Ragtime
Lead-In bass notes (see Lesson 14) are an important element of any Ragtime bass line. Try the following example giving special attention to the syncopated chord changes. Example 150 is a typical Ragtime chord progression that makes use of seventh chords.
Lead-In bass notes (indicated with *) are now substituted to the previous example. Special attention should be given to the suggested left hand fingering.
