Ragtime Fingerpicking Guitar
In this lesson you will learn about the rhythms and techniques which are characteristic of the Ragtime guitar style. Ragtime is a style of music from the beginning of the last century. Originally written for piano, Ragtime music transcribes well to the guitar.
The % Time Signature
Most Ragtime music is written in % time, a total of two quarter notes per bar. Study this next example, counted as 1 ee and ah, 2 ee and ah etc. The pulse or accent is on the first and second beat, indicated by the wedge symbol.
Simple Notation
To simplify the music notation the previous example is often rewritten using the * time signature. Sixteenth notes become eighth notes, eighth notes become quarter notes etc. Now try the same example, counting 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and etc.
Note that this example will sound different because there are now four accents in each bar.
Cut Time W or $
An ideal compromise in writing Ragtime music is to notate in * time, but use the cut time signature (W). This time signature is the same as $ time, two half notes per bar. In simple terms, using the cut time signature suggests the pulse or accent is on the first and third beats.
In doing this, exercise 141 will sound the same as the % example (exercise 139) but is easier to notate and read.
The Cut Time Bass Line
The cut time bass line is the same as the optional bass note line introduced in Lesson 4. Example 142 is based upon the previous example except the third beat bass note changes to the low G note on the sixth string (C/G chord).
Diminished Chords
EboAoCoF#o
Diminished chords feature a lot in Ragtime chord progressions. Diminished chord shapes are unique in the way that each note in the chord can be the root note, therefore each chord shape has four names. For example, the chord in the next diagram can be named either Ebdim, Adim, Cdim or F#dim. The following example uses diminished chords.
C(a)
