Stride (music)

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Stride, also known as New York ragtime, is a jazz piano style where the pianist's left hand may play a four-beat pulse with a bass note or tenth interval on the first and third beats, and a chord on the second and fourth beats, or an interrupted bass with three single notes and then a chord while the right hand plays melodies, riffs and often contrapuntal lines. The name "stride" comes from the left-hand movement "striding" up and down the keyboard. Pedal technique further varies the left hand sound.^{[citation needed]}

The technique was originated in Harlem during World War I by Luckey Roberts and James P. Johnson. It was partially influenced by ragtime but as a jazz piano idiom, features improvisation, blue notes, and swing rhythms which its predecessor did not. The practitioners of this style practised a very full jazz piano style that made use of classical devices. They sometimes engaged in cutting contests to show off their skill.^[1]

Practitioners

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Noted stride players include:

References

1. ^ Ken Burns (director). (2001). "The Gift" (part 2 of Jazz) [Documentary]. PBS.