Music Sound

Stride is a type of piano playing, used primarily in jazz. The distinctive technique was originated in Harlem in or about 1919 by Luckey Roberts and James P. Johnson. It is influenced by ragtime but features more improvisation, blue notes, and swing rhythms than its predecessor.

The pianist's left hand plays a four-beat pulse with a bass note on the first and third beats, and a chord on the second and fourth beats, while the right hand plays melodies and chords. The name "stride" comes from the "striding" left-hand movement. This technique is one of the most difficult styles of jazz piano playing.

Noted stride players include:

James P. Johnson
Luckey Roberts
Willie The Lion Smith
Art Tatum
Fats Waller
Pete Johnson
Count Basie
Duke Ellington
Thelonius Monk