Final answer:
By 1900, ragtime music's syncopations had shifted from the banjo to the c. piano, an evolution reflected in the works of Scott Joplin like "Maple Leaf Rag" which contributed to the genre's widespread popularity.
Step-by-step explanation:
By 1900, the syncopations of ragtime music had undergone a significant transformation. Originally associated with the banjo and other stringed instruments, ragtime had shifted to a different kind of instrumentation. The key player in this musical evolution was the c. piano.
This change was partly influenced by technological advancements of the period, such as improvements in the mechanics of the piano, which allowed it to produce a more robust and dynamic sound that could rival the previously dominant banjos.
The most famous exponent of ragtime, Scott Joplin, was a pianist whose works like "Maple Leaf Rag" propelled the genre to widespread popularity. The piano's capacity for both melodic and rhythmic expression gave ragtime a new platform, ensuring that the genre would have a lasting place in the pantheon of American music.