Linwood High School

RAGTIME

COMPOSITION Guidance

NAME: ___________________________________

Ragtime Rhythm

The melody line in Ragtime music is often very syncopated (off the beat). Here is a rhythm bank, i.e. some examples that you can use in your melody:

TASK

Extend your rhythm bank by adding 4 more bars of rhythm.

Each bar must add up to 4.

Rhythm 5	Rhythm 6

Rhythm 7	Rhythm 8

Here is a reminder

of your note values

to help with this task:

Constructing a Melody

You now have 8 different bars of rhythm to use in your melody. These can be mixed up or repeated.

Once you have picked a rhythm for your first bar, you must then decide on what notes to use.

TASK

You must make sure to match your notes with whatever your first chord is. Using your composition sheet, which should contain a chord progression, follow these steps:

Step 1: Work out the triad for that chord. Check this with your teacher, as depending on the key you have picked, your triad may contain a sharp or flat.

Step 2:   Only use these three notes to begin with.

You may mix them up in any order and repeat any.

Step 3: Use a keyboard to experiment with the order of the notes.

Step 4: Once your bar is complete, move on to the next bar but this time, you will be using a different chord so the three notes will be different.

Step 5: Continue until you reach your first cadence. Round your melody off with a long note at each cadence point.

Writing a Vamp Accompaniment

The most recognisable feature of ragtime music is the vamping accompaniment played on a piano.

This is written on two staves.

One for the right hand and one for the left hand.

The right hand is written on the treble clef. It plays off beat chords (notes 1, 3 + 5 triad) while the left plays notes 1 + 5 on the beat written on the bass clef. A vamp based on the chord of C would look like this:

C

Notes 1, 3 + 5 in the treble

Notes 1 + 5 in the bass

It is likely that you have 4 or 5 TASK different chords in your piece. Now
transform each one into a bar vamp.

Adding More Detail to Your Melody

TASK	Return to the original booklet and complete		
	the tasks on passing notes and sequences.		

Once you have typed your melody into Sibelius, use your vamp examples from the previous page and type in your vamp.

TOP TIP!

Only type in one bar of vamp per chord then use the copy and paste function to fill out the rest of the vamp!

ANOTHER TOP TIP!

In your second section vary the vamp with a different pattern in places. This will stop your piece from sounding very repetitive.

Variation 1: Have the left hand go in unison with the tune for a bar or two.

Variation 2: Give the left hand some long notes at cadence points.

Variation 3: Broken chords – split up notes 1, 3 + 5 and play them separately.