Final answer:
Ragtime music, characterized by its "ragged" rhythms and strong beats, was originally composed for and performed by pianists. The genre was popularized by African American composer and pianist Scott Joplin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ragtime music, a uniquely American form of music, was known for its "ragged" rhythms and a strong beat that made it quite compelling for listeners to dance to or tap their feet. This music genre specifically flouted the conventional music theories of the turn of the 19th into the 20th century and is known for inspiring improvisation and giving birth to jazz music. Its most famous composer and performer was Scott Joplin, an African American pianist who had a significant influence on ragtime's popularity.
Ragtime was originally composed for and performed by pianists. While other instruments like banjos and brass bands were prevalent in other folk music traditions, ragtime's complex melodies and rhythms were ideally suited for the piano, which was more accessible in cities along trade routes like the Mississippi River. The demand for pianos in cities like New Orleans and St. Louis facilitated the growth of piano-based musical traditions, paving the way for the rise of ragtime in these urban areas.
The answer to the student's question is that ragtime music was originally composed for and performed by c. pianists.