a biography of scott joplin
Commonly known as the "King of Ragtime", Scott Joplin innovated classical music as we know it and enriched the piano world with his new form of pianism. However, he is probably best known for being one of the most prominent and influential African-American figures in classical music. Nevertheless, he should definitely be recognized for his excessive amount of contributions to music. In this biography, I will cover some of the many accomplishments of Scott Joplin and his journey to becoming the so-called "King of Ragtime".
No one knows exactly where or even when Scott Joplin was born, but it can be implied from our available documents that he was born between 1867 and 1868. We do know that he lived in the state of Texas when he was two years old, where his father worked as a slave on a farm. Still a young child, Joplin moved to Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas, where he accessed the piano for the very first time. He then started to teach himself the basics of music till he was finally noticed by German-born teacher, Julius Weiss, who introduced him to the European classical style. It was this that was believed to inspire Joplin to be known as a classical composer.
Scott Joplin attended high school at Lincoln High School in Sedalia, Missouri throughout most of the 1880s. It is believed that during this time is when he launched his musical career, traveling to St. Louis and back to perform for anxious audiences. In 1891, it was reported in newspapers that Joplin was part of a minstrel troupe in Texarkana. During the World's Fair of 1893, he could frequently be found playing in cornet groups around the different fairgrounds in Chicago, Illinois. That same year, Joplin returned to Sedalia, where he established his new home. Nevertheless, he still managed to travel as a professional musician as far east as New York.
Joplin married three times throughout his lifetime. His first wife, Belle, was the widow of Scott Hayden's, a former student, older brother. They separated shortly after their marriage. His second wife, Freddie, developed pneumonia and died in 1904, just ten months after their marriage. His third wife, Lottie, remained married to him until his death. Joplin had developed a case of tertiary syphilis in which he did not recover from. He died in a mental institution in 1917.
Perhaps the most identifiable piece composed by Scott Joplin is his famous Maple Leaf Rag. It gets its name from a black men's social club that the composer commonly played at for various events. It still remains a commonly played piece on the concert stage and is still widely appreciated by many around the world. Other important piano works include The Entertainer, The Chrysanthemum, Palm Leaf Rag, and Pine Apple Rag. Joplin was also known as a notable singer and violinist. He composed a variety of works for other instruments, including concertos, operas, musicals, songs, symphonies, and more.
With consideration of these contributions, we mustn't ignore and be oblivious to the significance of Scott Joplin and his many accomplishments. It is important that we acknowledge and accept the influence of this great composer and commemorate it.
No one knows exactly where or even when Scott Joplin was born, but it can be implied from our available documents that he was born between 1867 and 1868. We do know that he lived in the state of Texas when he was two years old, where his father worked as a slave on a farm. Still a young child, Joplin moved to Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas, where he accessed the piano for the very first time. He then started to teach himself the basics of music till he was finally noticed by German-born teacher, Julius Weiss, who introduced him to the European classical style. It was this that was believed to inspire Joplin to be known as a classical composer.
Scott Joplin attended high school at Lincoln High School in Sedalia, Missouri throughout most of the 1880s. It is believed that during this time is when he launched his musical career, traveling to St. Louis and back to perform for anxious audiences. In 1891, it was reported in newspapers that Joplin was part of a minstrel troupe in Texarkana. During the World's Fair of 1893, he could frequently be found playing in cornet groups around the different fairgrounds in Chicago, Illinois. That same year, Joplin returned to Sedalia, where he established his new home. Nevertheless, he still managed to travel as a professional musician as far east as New York.
Joplin married three times throughout his lifetime. His first wife, Belle, was the widow of Scott Hayden's, a former student, older brother. They separated shortly after their marriage. His second wife, Freddie, developed pneumonia and died in 1904, just ten months after their marriage. His third wife, Lottie, remained married to him until his death. Joplin had developed a case of tertiary syphilis in which he did not recover from. He died in a mental institution in 1917.
Perhaps the most identifiable piece composed by Scott Joplin is his famous Maple Leaf Rag. It gets its name from a black men's social club that the composer commonly played at for various events. It still remains a commonly played piece on the concert stage and is still widely appreciated by many around the world. Other important piano works include The Entertainer, The Chrysanthemum, Palm Leaf Rag, and Pine Apple Rag. Joplin was also known as a notable singer and violinist. He composed a variety of works for other instruments, including concertos, operas, musicals, songs, symphonies, and more.
With consideration of these contributions, we mustn't ignore and be oblivious to the significance of Scott Joplin and his many accomplishments. It is important that we acknowledge and accept the influence of this great composer and commemorate it.
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By: Tanner Henly