I am taking a jazz class.Please help me with the homework.The questions based on ragtime song by Scott Joplin "Maple Leaf Rag" Joplin was classically trained. Even though the classic period was gone by about 75 years in his time, the musical traditions still existed.
Most of the classical era music was based on sonata form which - in VERY brief is an A theme (or theme group) a B theme, a developmental section and a return to the A and B themes.
Now, in Joplin's time form and tonality was much less rigorous than in the classical period - he was influenced by the blending of french impressionist music - particularly the quartal and quintal harmonies of Chopin and Debussy mixed with the syncopated rhythms of African and Carribean music.
Thus, the harmony and rhythm had wonderful new influences, but form was still based on what is familiar to western (and perhaps all people's) ears.
On a deeper level, people like the comfort and familiarity of repetition. It ties things together for people. The"A"theme is "home", and everybody likes to go back home. Something to do with style of writing. Theme and variations. A B A. | 