What is ragtime guitar?
Ragtime guitar is a fingerstyle technique that combines elements of ragtime piano music with blues guitar. It features syncopated rhythms and intricate chord progressions, often using alternating bass lines and syncopated melodies.
This style was popularized by early 20th-century musicians like Blind Boy Fuller and Blind Blake, and it adds a unique, jazzy sound to blues music.
My Journey with Ragtime Guitar
As a guitar teacher, I've spent decades immersed in the world of ragtime guitar, a style that has captivated me since my early days of playing. The complexity and rhythm of ragtime music, combined with its unique fingerpicking style, offer a challenge that is both rewarding and endlessly fascinating. In this article, I will share my experiences and insights into this vibrant genre, focusing on important ragtime blues artists, the musical structure, and the fingerpicking style.
Influential Ragtime Blues Artists
When discussing ragtime blues, it's impossible not to mention some of the pioneering artists who have shaped the genre. These musicians have left an indelible mark on the world of music, and their techniques continue to inspire guitarists today.
- Blind Blake: Known for his complex syncopation and intricate fingerpicking, Blind Blake was a master of ragtime guitar. His ability to create a rhythm that mimicked the bounce of a piano was unparalleled.
- Scott Joplin: While primarily a pianist, Joplin's compositions like "The Entertainer" have been adapted for guitar, influencing countless ragtime musicians.
- Blind Boy Fuller: His use of alternating bass lines and engaging chords made his style distinct and influential.
These artists have contributed significantly to the development of ragtime blues, each bringing their unique flair to the genre.
Musical Structure and Fingerpicking Style
The musical structure of ragtime guitar is characterized by its syncopated rhythm and alternating bass lines. This creates a lively and dynamic sound that is both complex and engaging.
- Alternating Bass: A fundamental aspect of ragtime fingerpicking is the use of an alternating bass line, typically played with the thumb. This technique creates a beat that is both steady and lively, allowing for intricate melodies to be played over the top.
- Syncopation: The hallmark of ragtime is its use of syncopation, where the emphasis is placed on off-beats. This gives the music its characteristic bounce and requires precise control and timing.
- Chords and Progressions: Ragtime guitar often uses specific chords and progressions, such as the C-C7-F-Ab7-C-G sequence, which provides a foundation for improvisation and embellishment.
The fingerpicking style in ragtime guitar is both challenging and rewarding, requiring dedication and practice to master.
Learning and Teaching Ragtime Guitar
As a teacher, I find great joy in guiding students through the process of learning ragtime guitar. Here are some tips for those looking to start their journey:
- Start with the basics: Focus on mastering the alternating bass technique and simple chords before moving on to more complex pieces.
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to developing the muscle memory needed for ragtime fingerpicking.
- Listen to the masters: Study recordings of artists like Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller to understand their style and techniques.
The Joy of Ragtime Guitar
Playing ragtime guitar is not just about mastering a technique; it's about connecting with a rich musical tradition. Whether you're playing for an audience or just for yourself, the joy of ragtime lies in its ability to transport you to another time and place. The music is lively, engaging, and full of character, making it a rewarding pursuit for any guitarist.
Table: Key Ragtime Guitar Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Alternating Bass | Thumb plays a steady bass line, creating a rhythmic foundation. |
| Syncopation | Emphasizing off-beats to create a lively, bouncing rhythm. |
| Chord Progressions | Common sequences like C-C7-F-Ab7-C-G used for structure and improvisation. |
- [ ] Start with basic chords and progressions.
- [ ] Practice alternating bass lines.
- [ ] Focus on syncopation and rhythm.
- [ ] Listen to recordings of ragtime masters.
- [ ] Play regularly to build confidence and skill.
In conclusion, ragtime guitar is a fascinating and rewarding genre that offers endless possibilities for exploration and creativity. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just beginning your journey, the world of ragtime is rich with history and style, waiting to be discovered.
Ragtime Blues Guitar Fingerpicking
Most guitarists have heard of the style of picking known as claw-hammer, but what is it? Basically, the picking hand is held like an animal claw and the thumb and the fingers pluck the guitar strings.
This sounds simple, but it needs a little care to do it properly. Many acoustic guitar lessons show just one style for playing this very appealing style of guitar music, but there are other techniques we can explore to give our music a slightly different approach.Lessons which focus on blues or ragtime should ideally demonstrate various picking styles and possibilities. For example, a first question is if to use finerpicks or bare fingers. (And within this choice, do we choose plastic or steel!)
If a guitarist wants to play in the old style of the first blues men, then it make sense to use the identical picking techniques. If the blues man in question used picks, then it makes sense to employ them if you want to get the same kind of sound.
Special ragtime blues guitar chords
It's a fact that the variations in right hand position may be quite minor, but these little differences can have quite an effect on the music coming out of your box.
Mississippi John Hurt's trademark sound was a gentle rhythmic ragtime picking technique using two fingers and a strong alternating bass structure. His little finger rested solidly on the guitar sound board and appeared glued to it, which is an indication that his fingers moved independently of each other.
Quite a lot of finger pickers anchor their pinky on the sound board all or most of the time, but some don't do that, just placing the palm heel of the hand on the strings very close to the saddle. This also helps in damping the bass strings if needed.Acoustic blues guitar lessons need to teach all possible variations and a good basic technique is important when moving on to ragtime guitar picking.
The Ragtime Guitar of Reverend Gary Davis - The Chord Master
We should all be forever grateful for the legacy left by the original great of blues guitarists. Here's a short lesson showing a couple of simple variations on the basic Candy Man theme, as played by the legendary Reverend Gary Davis. What he did with just three chords was fascinating.
Author: Jim Bruce
Date: 2014-07-19
Category: Music
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ragtime guitar hard to play?
Ragtime guitar is generally considered challenging due to its intricate fingerstyle technique. It requires good technique and practice to master the syncopated rhythms and alternating bass lines that characterize the style.
Who is the king of ragtime guitar?
Arthur Blake, known as Blind Blake, is often referred to as the "King of Ragtime Guitar." He was a pioneering American blues and ragtime singer and guitarist, renowned for his complex fingerpicking style.
What are the chords for ragtime guitar?
Common chords used in ragtime guitar include dominant seventh chords such as E7, A7, D7, G7, and C7. These chords form the basis for many ragtime progressions.
What is ragtime blues?
Ragtime blues is a musical style that combines elements of ragtime and blues. It features the syncopated rhythms of ragtime with the expressive qualities of blues, often using fingerstyle guitar techniques.
Why is ragtime so hard?
Ragtime is challenging because it involves complex syncopated rhythms and requires precise coordination between the hands, especially in piano and guitar performances.
Why is ragtime not considered jazz?
Ragtime is not considered jazz primarily because it is typically composed music, whereas jazz involves a significant degree of improvisation. While ragtime influenced jazz, the two genres differ in their approach to composition and performance.