Don t play this piece fast. It is never right to play ragtime fast.
Scott JoplinRead
Syncopations are no indication of light or trashy music, and to shy bricks at 'hateful ragtime' no longer passes for musical culture.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that syncopation in music should not be dismissed as unrefined and that attitudes towards musical styles like ragtime are evolving.
Scott Joplin's quote challenges the perception that syncopated music, like ragtime, is inferior or lacking in cultural significance. He argues that dismissing such music out of prejudice is no longer acceptable, indicating a broader acceptance of diverse musical forms and suggesting that all styles of music have their own value and artistic merit.
Themes
SyncopationRagtimeMusicCultureArt
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about musical evolution, this quote illustrates the changing perceptions of different genres.
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