This page discusses ragtime in general. Ragtime is usually played in a 3/4 beat just like all waltz-eque music. Ragtime is known for having a syncopated rhythm or “ragged” rhythm. Now what is syncopation? Syncopation is when notes that are “unimportant” are emphasized with volume. For example in a 4/4 time signature, the important notes would be the 1st and 3rd notes. If the 1st and 3rd notes were emphasized or stressed in an important ragtime measure, the piece would be bland. To add more exciting taste to the piece composers have syncopated the important measures by emphasizing on the 2nd and 4th notes. This is what ragtime and syncopated music is all about.