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Topic: What makes a "Rag a Rag"...... |
Delvin Morgan
From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 7 May 2009 11:08 am |
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...as in Black Mountain Rag or Panhandle Rag or the famous SGR? Is it the chord structure or like a waltz the time signature? Or something else.
Inquireing minds  |
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Russ Wever
From:
Kansas City
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 7 May 2009 1:48 pm
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But most of the "rags" in bluegrass aren't rags at all.
KP |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 7 May 2009 1:54 pm
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| If you wear it, it clothes. After it's worn out, it becomes a rag, and you use it to clean with. I thought everybody knew that. |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 7 May 2009 2:24 pm
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| The bigger question is - What makes a stomp a stomp? |
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Delvin Morgan
From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 7 May 2009 4:07 pm
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Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you. Russ and Brad, your explanations were exceptional.  An old band mate and I were discussing the subject but couldn't put a finger on the meaning. Thanks again. |
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Fred Jack
From:
Bastrop, Texas 78602
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Posted 7 May 2009 7:39 pm stomp
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| Michael J. ..... Spade Cooley |
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Tony Davis
From:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Posted 8 May 2009 4:29 am
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Err?..well....I think a Breakdown is when your car wont go anymore....and you got to get your wife to get out and push while you sit inside out of the rain and steer
I think a Hoedown is what you do in the fields when it is time to have a smoke or time to have your lunch........or whatever it is you want to do when it is time for a break !!! |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 8 May 2009 6:22 am
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I thought a hoedown was when you paid for it!  |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 8 May 2009 7:55 am
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| Well, joking aside, seems like "hoedown" comes from the obvious rural barn dance tradition. I thought "breakdowns" were bluegrass train wreck songs. Anybody got any better ideas. "Stomp" pretty obviously refers to the clomp clomp rhythm of some '20s-'30s jazz. "Rag" I have no clue about, but the Wikipedia reference to "ragged time" as jazzed up march time seems plausible. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 8 May 2009 8:37 am
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| David Doggett wrote: |
| Well, joking aside, seems like "hoedown" comes from the obvious rural barn dance tradition. I thought "breakdowns" were bluegrass train wreck songs. Anybody got any better ideas. "Stomp" pretty obviously refers to the clomp clomp rhythm of some '20s-'30s jazz. "Rag" I have no clue about, but the Wikipedia reference to "ragged time" as jazzed up march time seems plausible. |
Especially since so many rags are in ABC form. That is also a very popular form with marches.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 8 May 2009 6:44 pm
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"Ragtime" is just a term. It probably at it's inception more accurately defined this type of music; but over time, like many terms, has become muddied, and lost it's defining strength.
I can't give you a real definition of what a 'rag' is; but I know it when I hear it. And yes, there is definitely quintissential chord progressions, rhythms, and especially syncopations.
"Alice's Restaurant"; "St Louis Tickle"; "The Entertainer; "Elite Syncopations"; "Muskrat Ramble;
"Salty Dog"; maybe even "The Wine Song" (Youngbloods); "The Stripper"; "Sweet Georgia Brown"...to name a few.
I love ragtime. It's loose, yet pretty tight. It comes from the vaudeville and wandering minstrel show era. It's like music that was almost made up on the run; on the spot.
It's routy and risque. It's a combo of folk, blues, and jazz - for lack of any other way to define it - lot of chord changes, especially passing chords.
Happy music. Bawdry and drinking music. Saloons and brothels.
Oh! Take me back!
_________________
Chip
Williams U-12 8X5; Keyless; Natural Blonde Laquer. |
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Tom Stolaski
From:
Huntsville, AL, USA
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Posted 14 May 2009 3:35 pm
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| I remember a professor at Western Michigan University explaining to our music class that a Rag is not a Rag unless it is played on the piano. |
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