Session 10 is the first of our next three lessons from our Blitzing Your Fingerstyle guitar series. This session is all about Ragtime and we’ll break down the elements that create a great Ragtime groove. We’ll finish with a full piece and some fun flat picking licks.
Ragtime finds its origins in the the 1890’s to 1910’s American music bars and halls. A lively, syncopated musical style known for its “ragged” rhythms where the melody plays off the beat against a steady left-hand accompaniment, Ragtime was mainly popularised via piano players. Originating in African-American communities and famously featuring composers like Scott Joplin. It’s characterized by its catchy, march-like feel, blending European traditions with African rhythms, and served as a vital precursor to jazz, though it was typically written down rather than improvised.
While starting on piano, guitarists begin to bring those elements onto their own instrument, using techniques similar to travis picking (covered in session 4). Players such as Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, and William (Bill) Moore, alongside modern players like John Pizzarelli, blended the traditional piano ragtime music with blues and early jazz to capture a unique ragged rhythm sound and complex bass lines.
In this session we’ll explore the core techniques you’ll need to master for the style as well as useful knowledge to help apply them before finishing with a full piece and some fun flat picking licks.
Session 10 – See above
Session 11 will look at a G Major 12/8 fingerstyle blues showing you how to take your playing from basic to kick ass.
Session 12 will show you how to make your fingerstyle playing properly groove. You will learn how to add engaging rhythms and licks that make you and your audience want to dance.
If you would like to learn a Dire Straits song that will use similar chords and techniques then check out our ROMEO AND JULIET course.
The level is ideal for players who want to:
As a guide you should be familiar with:
Things you won’t need to know (but you should definitely not ignore them):
By default, you’ll start every session with complete anonymity i.e. with your mic muted and your camera switched off. You have total control of these at your end.
You can ask questions at any time:
It’s all very friendly and there isn’t such a thing as a daft question – they usually lead to deep, interesting streams of very relevant stuff!
If you want to come along but can’t make the sessions just book in and you’ll receive the full materials and lesson video.
BUT this shouldn’t put you off booking in as you’ll receive the full materials including the video of the complete live session.
Start slowly – if you decide to book just one Level but then become interested in other Levels or even the Complete Series, just buy them on the website.