How does ragtime symbolize the many changes that were sweeping american society

Question: How does ragtime symbolize the many changes that were sweeping american society during the late1800s!?
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Ragtime was an early form of jazz!. It was different than any of the musics that were popular in that time, especially the styles present in classical music!. Because it had a set form and followed many of the practices of classical music, it was not far distant from the ideals of classical music but it incorporated rhythms which had never appeared before in western music!. During this time people were beginning to show more personal freedom in dance and costume!. Ragtime was a poor man's music, played in clubs and at rent parties!. It was a break away from the culture and practices of the old world and was a waking of the free African American (New Yorkers, more specifically)!. This music would later influence such musicians as Duke Ellington and even John Phillips Sousa!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

"The end of the American Civil War brought emancipation to the slaves, but not true economic or political freedom!. Efforts by former slaves after the war to improve their own lives were met with strong resistance from many whites who did not want to deal with them on an equal basis!. Laws were passed legalizing racial discrimination and making it practically impossible for many non-whites to vote!. The only types of jobs made available to them were poor-paying menial labor, with three exceptions: teacher, preacher, and musician!.

Black musicians had long been accepted by white America, even during the slavery era, although only within the boundaries of "low-class" entertainment such as dances and minstrel shows!. In the 1890's a black pianist was not acceptable in the concert hall; a black piano player in a church or a red-light district bar or brothel was a common sight!. But one such piano player, who in the late 1890's often played at the Maple Leaf Club in Sedalia, Missouri, was taking the first big step that would eventually lead to widespread acceptance of African-American musicians as serious artists!. Recognition as a composer of serious music was Scott Joplin's goal as a musician, a goal he did not achieve in his lifetime!. But his "Maple Leaf Rag" was a tremendously popular hit that helped spark a nation-wide ragtime craze!.

Joplin did not invent ragtime!. It was already played by many musicians, black and white, in St!. Louis and Chicago!. Other composers had already published "piano rags", and in fact most published rag composers throughout the period were white!. But the piano rags of Scott Joplin, and of another black composer, James Scott, were of such high quality that they were a mainstay of the popular piano repertoire for decades!. Ragtime rang out from pianos in homes, clubs, theaters, dance halls, and saloons across the country, and many of the best-selling rolls for player-piano were ragtime!. "Www@QuestionHome@Com