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Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin

2 4.9
An American composer and pianist known for writing ragtime music
  • proper noun
  • /skɑt ˈdʒɑplɪn/
: Scott Joplin
  • The famous composer Scott Joplin was known for his ragtime music.

Examples

  • Did you know that Scott Joplin wrote 'The Entertainer'?

  • My favorite ragtime piece was written by Scott Joplin.

  • Many consider Scott Joplin to be one of the most influential American composers of the early twentieth century.

  • The music of Scott Joplin experienced a major revival during the 1970s.

  • Many consider Scott Joplin to be one of the most influential American composers of the early twentieth century.

  • My favorite ragtime piece was written by Scott Joplin.

  • The music of Scott Joplin experienced a major revival during the 1970s.

Surface Forms

Morphology

Scott + Joplin

This is a personal name (a proper noun) whose referent — an American composer and pianist — cannot be derived from the constituent names 'Scott' and 'Joplin'. Proper names are arbitrary labels and do not transparently indicate profession, dates, or biographical facts, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Scott Joplin was a pianist and composer who wrote lively, bouncy piano tunes called 'ragtime' and was one of the first to write them down and publish them as sheet music. Because his clear, published pieces let people everywhere learn and play this style, he became known as the 'King of Ragtime'.