I listen to a lot ragtime pieces played by brass bands. What generally characterizes the drumming? Which elements of the drumset are used more and which aren't used as much?
asked Oct 7 '12 at 1:50
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2Just a note: Historically ragtime was played straight, and not with swung eigths or sixteenths.– Ulf ÅkerstedtOct 21 '12 at 11:39
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1Ooops! You beat me to it. Sly devil!– luser droogDec 20 '12 at 9:59
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Ragtime and Jazz percussion are similar - they do have their differences though. To focus on developing your ragtime skills, master press roll/rim/woodblock rhythm patterns (less of a swing feel than jazz) and use small splash cymbal patterns for keeping time. Press Roll: 4 beats with the right hand, on beats 2 and 4 do a press roll with the left hand. A two hand press roll or shimmy beat can add variety. Bass drum chugs along at beats 1 and 3, cymbals should be simple and not overbearing.
Here's a great example of ragtime drumming technique a friend sent to me
Hope this helps!
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1While cool, this is Dixieland. Ragtime doesn't swing, it keeps a strict time. Dec 20 '12 at 9:58
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I've never seen an authoritative source for ragtime always having straight eighths. There are multiple piano roll recordings of Joplin which are swung (which could have been added by the publisher, but in either case was not extemporaneous). Eubie Blake swung rags in his performances, AFAICT. I'm sure there are other examples. I think we might need a separate term for the straight, slow, unembellished versions that classical musicians pretend are historically accurate -- perhaps "Rifkintime."– johncipAug 7 '20 at 21:30