INTRODUCTION
The unmistakable style that is Ragtime has been around for over 100 years but only recently guitar players really entered the unique world of Ragtime. Ragtime started in the 1880s. The tunes were written for piano and Ragtime bands which consisted of tubas, cornets and vibraphones.
Who would have thought that the music later would be adapted so comfortably to the six string guitar? Ragtime was the beginning of Jazz and later influenced all music which developed throughout the 1900s.
The 1920s introduced to us guitar players such as the Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Mississippi John Hurt. These players all had a strong Ragtime influence although their style did lean towards Blues. The 1960s and '70s presented guitar players like Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Stefan Grossman and many others, all of whom explored the wonderful world of Ragtime guitar.
Although it may appear to be up tempo and gay, ragtime should be played with a slight classical feel. Scott Joplin who is undoubtedly the father of Ragtime said, "Ragtime should never be played fast". Do not play Ragtime fast. Play it a little slower and enjoy each melodic phrase.
Progressive Ragtime Fingerpicking Guitar Method teaches all the popular left and right hand techniques used in traditional and contemporary Ragtime fingerpicking guitar. As you work your way through the book the progressions and basic fingerpicking styles are expanded upon with the introduction of many left hand and right hand techniques.
The final section in the book includes several classic Ragtime fingerpicking solos that make use of all the techniques that were introduced throughout the book. Many appendices are included at the back of the book covering scales, keys and chord construction.
It will be helpful to already have a basic knowledge of guitar before you tackle the examples in this book. Progressive Fingerpicking Guitar is recommended as an introductory manual to this book.
All examples are fun to play and sound great, as well as being authentic and informative. At the completion of this book you will have a thorough knowledge of fingerpicking Ragtime guitar and will be able to make some great sounds in a fairly short time.
Electronic Tuner
The easiest and most accurate way to tune your guitar is by using an electronic tuner. An electronic tuner allows you to tune each string individually to the tuner, by indicating whether the notes are sharp (too high) or flat (too low). If you have an electric guitar you can plug it directly in to the tuner. If you have an acoustic guitar, the tuner will have an inbuilt microphone.
There are several types of electronic guitar tuners but most are relatively inexpensive and simple to operate. Tuning using other methods is difficult for beginning guitarists and it takes many months to master, so we recommend you purchase an electronic tuner, particularly if you do not have a guitar teacher or a friend who can tune it for you.
Also if your guitar is way out of tune you can always take it to your local music store so they can tune it for you. Once a guitar has been tuned correctly it should only need minor adjustments before each practice session.
