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. This article is about the modern musical instrument. ... Jazz is a musical art form characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. ... Harlem is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, long known as a major African American cultural and business center. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Charles Luckeyeth Roberts, better known as Luckey Roberts (7 August 1887 - 5 February 1968) was a composer and pianist who worked in the jazz, ragtime, and blues styles. ... James Price Johnson (February 1, 1894 - November 17, 1955) was a pianist and composer. ... Ragtime is an American musical genre, enjoying its peak popularity around the years 1900–1918. ...

The pianist's left hand plays a four-beat pulse with a bass note on the first and third beat, and a chord on the second and fourth beats, while the right hand plays (usually improvising) melodies and harmonies. The name "stride" comes from this "striding" left-hand movement which characterizes the style. This technique is one of the most difficult styles of jazz piano playing and continues to influence contemporary piano players.

Noted stride players include:

• James P. Johnson
• Luckey Roberts
• Willie The Lion Smith
• Art Tatum
• Fats Waller