1. Ragtime Roots:
- Ragtime is considered the precursor to stride piano.
- Both genres originated in the same time period, with ragtime emerging in the 1890s and stride piano gaining popularity in the 1910s.
- They both utilize syncopated rhythms and create a lively and energetic sound.
2. Walking Bass:
- Stride piano is characterized by its prominent "walking" bass line created using the left hand.
- Ragtime also often employs a walking bass line, but it is usually more simplistic in structure compared to stride piano.
3. Right Hand Techniques:
- Stride piano features an elaborate use of the right hand, involving a mixture of single-note melodies, octaves, and chords.
- Ragtime relies more on arpeggiated chords in the right hand, although it can include some octave work as well.
4. Jazz Influence:
- Stride piano strongly influenced the development of early jazz. Many ragtime and stride pianists went on to become influential figures in jazz, such as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington.
- Stride piano techniques and rhythmic concepts became intertwined with the improvisation and interplay that characterized early jazz.
5. Swing Feel:
- Both stride piano and ragtime have a swinging rhythm. However, stride piano's rhythmic foundation is generally regarded as more consistent and driving than ragtime.
6. Improvisation:
- Stride piano often includes sections where the pianist improvises, embellishing melodies and creating variations on the themes present in the piece.
- Improvisation is a core element of jazz and is less common in traditional ragtime, which tends to stick more closely to the original composition.
7. Transition and Evolution:
- Stride piano can be seen as a transitional genre between ragtime and jazz.
- It took the syncopated rhythms of ragtime and added more jazz-like elements such as improvisation and a more complex harmonic language.
- Some stride pianists, such as Willie "The Lion" Smith, played a vital role in bridging the gap between stride piano and swing-era jazz.
Overall, stride piano draws inspiration from ragtime and influenced the development of jazz piano. It combines the energetic syncopations of ragtime with the improvisatory nature and jazz harmonies, resulting in a vibrant and exciting style of piano playing.