Ragtime

As we move forward in our music curriculum, our students are beginning to study the social trends with music and dance.  Seen as a rebellious music, Ragtime uses syncopation to create melodic interest in the melody while the lower and bass notes keep a steady beat.  It was new in the 1910's and made famous by Scott Joplin.  With new music comes new dance styles.  Since young people were said to be "acting like animals," the younger generations of the time would make up dances to portray animal behavior, as to mock their parents' comments.  Examples of these dances are the Turkey Trot, Fox Trot, and the Grizzly.  In class, we explored a modified version of the Grizzly.  Typically, instead of circling with your partner while step-hopping, dancers would turn cheek to cheek with their hands in the air and step-hop.  For educational purposes, the dance was modified.  The students enjoyed the bear-like dancing.  Our next class, students will be like teenagers of the Ragtime Era and create their own animal dance.