Multileveled rhythmic structure of ragtime
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2021-07-01
Authors
Yust, Jason
Kirlin, Phillip B.
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
J. Yust, P. Kirlin. 2021. "Multileveled rhythmic structure of ragtime." HCII International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Culture and Computing. Design Thinking and Cultural Computing. International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction. Online (Washington DC), 2021-07-24 - 2021-07-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77411-0_22
Abstract
Syncopation in ragtime music has been defined in multiple ways. In this study we propose a method using the Hadamard transform. We extract four-measure phrases from a corpus of ragtime pieces by Scott Joplin, James Scott, and Joseph Lamb, and convert them to 32-element binary onset vectors. The Hadamard transform converts this to another 32-element vector that can be interpreted as representing syncopation at various metrical levels. This method is closely related to a similar application of the discrete Fourier transform. Using the Hadamard representation, we show that syncopation is strongest at the quarter-note level, and that tresillo-like rhythms are especially characteristic of the genre. We identify a number of significant differences based on the position of a phrase in a sixteen-measure strain, the position of the strain in the rag, and the composer. The Hadamard representation also facilitates discovery of relationship between different levels of rhythmic organization.