by Claudia Shao
While Scott Joplin has always been celebrated as “the king of ragtime”, most of the details about his life and his origins are relatively unknown. Most sources for the current beliefs are either anecdotal or derived from government documents like censuses. Either way, what we can garner from this lack of information about such a talented artist is that his obscurity can be largely attributed to racism.
Born two years after the abolition of slavery in 1865, Joplin was an African American whose parents were former slaves. He grew up in a small town straddling the border of Arkansas and Texas, appropriately named “Texarkana”. Clearly his odds for mass media coverage were not in his favor.
Born two years after the abolition of slavery in 1865, Joplin was an African American whose parents were former slaves. He grew up in a small town straddling the border of Arkansas and Texas, appropriately named “Texarkana”. Clearly his odds for mass media coverage were not in his favor.
His musical talents were inherited from his parents, who sang, played the banjo, and played the violin. Scott first developed skills on the guitar as a child and eventually was allowed to use the piano belonging to his mother’s white employers. A German music teacher, Julius Weiss, recognized Scott’s musical giftings and began instructing him in classical music. Weiss is thought to be Scott’s inspiration in pursuing classical music.
Later on, Scott Joplin settled in Sedalia, Missouri, which is where he was educated (at George R. Smith College) as well as where he wrote the majority of his famous rags.
While Joplin showed much promise, his first published work, Original Rags, was not credited to him: he was forced to share the credit with one of the arrangers, Charles N. Daniels, a further example of racial prejudice working against him. Despite the odds, Joplin learned from his first experience and employed the help of Robert Higdon, a local Sedalia lawyer. With Higdon’s guidance, Joplin’s next rag was published under his name only. It was the Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin’s most renowned work.
Later on, Scott Joplin settled in Sedalia, Missouri, which is where he was educated (at George R. Smith College) as well as where he wrote the majority of his famous rags.
While Joplin showed much promise, his first published work, Original Rags, was not credited to him: he was forced to share the credit with one of the arrangers, Charles N. Daniels, a further example of racial prejudice working against him. Despite the odds, Joplin learned from his first experience and employed the help of Robert Higdon, a local Sedalia lawyer. With Higdon’s guidance, Joplin’s next rag was published under his name only. It was the Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin’s most renowned work.
He later on went on to produce many influential rags, such as Sunflower Slow Drag (a collaboration with Scott Hayden), Peacherine Rag, The Easy Winners (all in 1901); Cleopha, The Strenuous Life (a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt), A Breeze from Alabama, Elite Syncopations, The Entertainer, and The Ragtime Dance (all in 1902).
Despite his musical genius in composition, Scott Joplin was reported to be a mediocre piano player. Many historians and fans attribute this mediocrity to symptoms of his syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted in 1897. In addition to the piano, he also sang, played the cornet, and played the violin, although he reportedly spent very little time developing the latter two. Although Scott Joplin never lived in the era of the 1920s (he passed away in 1917 from syphilis), his music will always live on. At the time of his death, ragtime was decreasing in followers, as the jazz age was in its genesis. With ragtime in its exodus from the popular genre, Scott Joplin sadly passed away nearly in oblivion.
However, The Maple Leaf Rag continued to be popular throughout the roaring 20’s, and a ragtime revival began in the 1940’s and has continued to this day.
Despite his musical genius in composition, Scott Joplin was reported to be a mediocre piano player. Many historians and fans attribute this mediocrity to symptoms of his syphilis, which he is believed to have contracted in 1897. In addition to the piano, he also sang, played the cornet, and played the violin, although he reportedly spent very little time developing the latter two. Although Scott Joplin never lived in the era of the 1920s (he passed away in 1917 from syphilis), his music will always live on. At the time of his death, ragtime was decreasing in followers, as the jazz age was in its genesis. With ragtime in its exodus from the popular genre, Scott Joplin sadly passed away nearly in oblivion.
However, The Maple Leaf Rag continued to be popular throughout the roaring 20’s, and a ragtime revival began in the 1940’s and has continued to this day.
Works Cited:
1. Berlin, Edward A. "Biography of Scott Joplin." Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. Scott Joplin Foundation, 1998. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.
2. Lewis, Uncle Dave. "AllMusic." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014 <http://www.allmusic.com/artist/scott-joplin-mn0000843212/biography>.
3. "Scott Joplin Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/scott-joplin-9357953>.
1. Berlin, Edward A. "Biography of Scott Joplin." Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. Scott Joplin Foundation, 1998. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.
2. Lewis, Uncle Dave. "AllMusic." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014 <http://www.allmusic.com/artist/scott-joplin-mn0000843212/biography>.
3. "Scott Joplin Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/scott-joplin-9357953>.