In the 1900s, ragtime musicians such as Scott Joplin were turning out popular music that relied on brass instruments and the sound of bands playing together. This music influenced musicians who came along years later, including Irving Berlin. Jazz started to take root in New Orleans due to the talents of musicians such as cornet player King Oliver. The creation of jazz is credited by some sources to Buddy Bolden. Jelly Roll Morton became an influential member of the jazz community,
Sheet music prior to 1900 cost as much as $2; new printing techniques made it less expensive for people to purchase copies of popular songs. For many people, being able to play a song on their own instrument was the only affordable way to listen to music at home. Decreased printing costs reduced sheet music to 25 cents a sheet and enabled a much broader audience to enjoy music and contribute new influences to the music they listened to.
Recording techniques were refined throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. The first Victrola gramophone that could play records in a person's home was released in 1906. Soon after, Victrola became the generic name for any gramophone machine. All recording was done acoustically. Electronic recording didn't become prevalent until 1919.
Live music was a critical component to enjoying music in the 1900s. Most people couldn't afford access to a gramophone that would play music for them. Jazz clubs flourished in New Orleans. Composers such as John Phillip Souza and Scott Joplin wrote ragtime music that bands played on stage to entertain large crowds. Medicine shows sparked the rise in popularity of country music. Rural musicians played behind traveling men who sold elixirs and products in different towns across the country.