Guitar Books Review #12: The New Art of Ragtime Guitar by Richard Saslow

[@richardkovacs8911]

Joe. Really enjoyed this episode. Really like the ragtime style. I'm a self taught guitarist. Went through all 7 Mel Bay method books and don't know what books to buy next. Can you give me some advice? I enjoy your channel because you break these really cool books down and this gives students an idea of what to buy.

[@JoeMcMurrayMusic]

Hey Richard! Thanks for your comment! If you haven't already purchased this book (Saslow), then I'd definitely recommend it. Ken Perlman's "Fingerstyle Guitar" (Review #13) has some ragtime arrangements but they are long and tricky. Stephan Grossman's "Complete Country Blues Guitar Book" has a nice ragtime repertoire section in it as well. Mel Bay's "The Complete Chet Atkins Guitar Method" is a great method book for travis picking/alternating bass style. Maybe try writing some of your own tunes in the style? Maybe try out a video course on TrueFire or JamPlay. Maybe take some private lessons. I obviously love books, but it's important to learn from different sources.

[@richardkovacs8911]

Thank you for replying Joe! I will definitely take your suggestion on that book! Thanks also for the great recommendations to become a better guitarist!

[@JoeMcMurrayMusic]

@@richardkovacs8911 If you haven't been through Bruce Emery's "Travis Style from Scratch," it is a great book on solo travis style playing. Not ragtime, but alternating bass and really fun book. Easier tunes to play, but they are fun and sound great!

[@burtmantooth8913]

Great playing and review

[@JoeMcMurrayMusic]

Thanks Burt! Are you thinking of purchasing this book?

[@burtmantooth8913]

@@JoeMcMurrayMusic not right now… I’m already surrounded by books that I’m working on. :)

[@JoeMcMurrayMusic]

@@burtmantooth8913 That's a great position to be in! I'll never get through all of my books since I keep adding to my collection!

[@burtmantooth8913]

@@JoeMcMurrayMusic it’s all fun and games until you have to move.

[@AEvanderBeek]

Ragtime Ramble should have more swing in it

[@JoeMcMurrayMusic]

Thanks for mentioning this! 1) I should have gone back to the recordings that are available online and I would have heard the swing... It doesn't mention it anywhere in the text. 2) This is why learning from multiple sources is helpful - a teacher would have told me to swing it and I would have done so! Anyway, stay in touch!