Grossman Guitar Workshop - David Laibman - Playing The Classic Rags - 2xDVD (2012)

Publisher: SGGW | English | 3.85GB | ISO | 47 Pages | ISBN: B007XCXV7W

MPG2, 720×480, 30.0fps | AC-3, 256.0kbps, 48.0kHz 32bit, 2 channels

It is its own story - not an imitation of a piano, or of a dixieland or jazz band. It is, simply - ragtime guitar. In these lessons, I have tried, for the most part, to meet two goals. First, to create versions of some of the most beautiful classical rags that `lay down' well on guitar, so when you play them you are working with the instrument, not fighting it. I have tried to pitch and arrange the pieces so that a lot of the action is in first position rather than high up on the neck, and to keep left-hand gymnastics to a minimum. Second, I didn't want these arrangements to sound like `student' arrangements, too elementary to be believable. It is all about striking a balance. I am generally pleased with the result, and I hope you will be too. While the focus of these lessons is on the `greats' - Joplin (Original Rags, The Entertainer), Lamb (Contentment Rag, Ragtime Nightingale) and Scott (Ragtime Oriole) - I have also included one of my own recent compositions: Pandora's Rag. This version is simpler than the one I play on my recent CD, Adventures in Ragtime, in Em, G and E, rather than Am, C and A, and not so high up the neck. I hope you like it; I think it has some nice harmonies. No one will ever touch the ragtime masters, but I would not be doing them justice if I didn't try to use their inspiration to strike out on my own a bit. And that is what you should do. It would be great if you learn to play these charming and challenging pieces. But even greater if you improve the arrangements, adapt them to your own tastes, see if you can apply the various techniques to other music - ragtime, and beyond - that can give pleasure to yourself and others, and enrich the treasure-house of fingerstyle guitar. None of us has tapped even a fraction of its full potential - and that’s what makes it fun!

Classic Ragtime Songs You Will Learn;

Original Rag

Ragtime Nightingale

Pandora’s Rag

Contentment Rag

The Entertainer

Ragtime Oriole