I'm sure Scott Joplin would be giving a standing ovation upon seeing this performance. Richard Smith's guitar transposition has all the harmonies of the piano music; not a single triad is missing. And that down-tuning of the bass string at the end...wow!
I'm not a guitar player but this song seems difficult to play. Richard seems to choose some hard songs and his technique is clear and flawless. Great job!
Bloody hell. He’s playing to a couple of tables worth of people . If Clive Carroll can fill Glasgows Royal Concert Hall for a tribute to John Renbourn, Richard would have crowds fighting for a ticket .
This is the fourth of Mr. Smith's guitar renditions of Scott Joplin I've found and they just keep getting better. His version of The Entertainer is made even more entertaining by the amazed reactions of no less than the great Tommy Emmanuel. Then I found The Pineapple Rag and was just amazed... ...until I found The Easy Winners. Richard Smith does the impossible on that one and points it out at the beginning. He explains it, but makes it no less amazing to watch and listen to. Then I found this. Wow.
I've been playing guitar for over half a century, a rock/folk/blues guy, and have also taken classes at a music conservatory in classical technique, and in no way would I say this "looks so easy." One thing I noticed is that this artist is not a "thumb-wrapper" who reaches around the neck to grab the low strings from the other side, but keeps the pad of his thumb in the middle of the back of the neck just like Andres Segovia would have taught him to do. Impressive. Just remembering how to play the song aside from executing it is in, and of itself, a "cognitive test."
Richard, I can visualize Tommy Emmanuel doing his "I'm not worthy bow" to you, hearing this. You've got the ability to do Scott Joplin's rag stride piano on the bass and middle strings better than any guitarist I've ever heard. I doubt there are many out there that would even try to do it. Amazing!
Two hands and two brains? That lower set of strings sound like a second player is at work. Would floor the people I grew up listening to and they were hot players. No names.
Richard is a great guitarist but his choice of songs sucks! He gets up there and plays stuff like say Little Black toadstool, Granny Bonnett, Mississippi gumbo, or some dill pickle, or fruit rag rag. Can't you play some old '60s girl group songs, Carroll King songs, oldies but goodies, Elvis songs, Rick Nelson, and more of the Beatles all the way through. So corny how you pick this old B.S. music, Richard!
Richard has to be the greatest ragtime picker ever. It's impossible to improve on his interpretation of this style. Mesmerising.
I'm sure Scott Joplin would be giving a standing ovation upon seeing this performance. Richard Smith's guitar transposition has all the harmonies of the piano music; not a single triad is missing. And that down-tuning of the bass string at the end...wow!
This is as entertaining as the viral "The Entertainer." It deserves far more views. Thumbs up people! 👍
Nicely played. Mr Joplin would be proud.
Absolutely stunning ! Phenomenal...
Just as the late Thom Bresh used to say about Richard: 'You're a British droid, and I'm hip to you.' Once Richard sees you play it, he's got it.
Absolutely wonderful Richard!! Bravo!!
I'm not a guitar player but this song seems difficult to play. Richard seems to choose some hard songs and his technique is clear and flawless. Great job!
Bloody hell. He’s playing to a couple of tables worth of people . If Clive Carroll can fill Glasgows Royal Concert Hall for a tribute to John Renbourn, Richard would have crowds fighting for a ticket .
This is the fourth of Mr. Smith's guitar renditions of Scott Joplin I've found and they just keep getting better. His version of The Entertainer is made even more entertaining by the amazed reactions of no less than the great Tommy Emmanuel. Then I found The Pineapple Rag and was just amazed...
...until I found The Easy Winners. Richard Smith does the impossible on that one and points it out at the beginning. He explains it, but makes it no less amazing to watch and listen to.
Then I found this. Wow.
I saw him years ago with Tommy Emmanuel. What a Master Richard is
! It looks so easy, but it is a very hard piece. What a great Job !!!
I've been playing guitar for over half a century, a rock/folk/blues guy, and have also taken classes at a music conservatory in classical technique, and in no way would I say this "looks so easy."
One thing I noticed is that this artist is not a "thumb-wrapper" who reaches around the neck to grab the low strings from the other side, but keeps the pad of his thumb in the middle of the back of the neck just like Andres Segovia would have taught him to do.
Impressive. Just remembering how to play the song aside from executing it is in, and of itself, a "cognitive test."
Richard, I can visualize Tommy Emmanuel doing his "I'm not worthy bow" to you, hearing this. You've got the ability to do Scott Joplin's rag stride piano on the bass and middle strings better than any guitarist I've ever heard. I doubt there are many out there that would even try to do it. Amazing!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is good is a matter of personal preference. This geezer de tops.
What an astonishing picking technique 😱👏👏👏
Beautyfully played on a beautyful guitar!
Just stunning
Richard is an absolute master
absolute perfection
Fantastic, Richard. As always.
In this genre, the best...
This is awesome. 👏👏👏👏
Completely Outstanding!!!!
Extraordinary! 😋
Been waiting for this one for a LONG time. The BEST!
You're so good 👍 🎸❤
thank you ☺️
That is definitely a very difficult piece to play...my hats off to me Smith...
Holy mother of god that was great. And Srsly - NO ONE is commenting that very last five seconds? Didnt you guys see that or what? Absolutly insane!
Self accompanied melody. Excellent.
Chamber music best performed in a chamber--thick curtains, warm carpets, good acoustic.
Brilliant!! As usual.
Super nice Pickin’ Richard!
Incredible!!!!
Amazing
EXTRAKLASSE!!!!!👋👋👋👋
Grandissimo
Okay, I'm hanging up my thumb pick!
Il migliore!
veeeeeery nice, man!!!!
Richard would make Scot Joplin proud
I’m a guitar player. This is very difficult to play Excellent job
I am thinking: should I practice or better stop playing.😮
I can hear and see it - but I don't believe it!
Nice pickin'
This is nothing, I can play this.
Is what a fool would say
Two hands and two brains? That lower set of strings sound like a second player is at work. Would floor the people I grew up listening to and they were hot players. No names.
Richard is a great guitarist but his choice of songs sucks! He gets up there and plays stuff like say Little Black toadstool, Granny Bonnett, Mississippi gumbo, or some dill pickle, or fruit rag rag. Can't you play some old '60s girl group songs, Carroll King songs, oldies but goodies, Elvis songs, Rick Nelson, and more of the Beatles all the way through. So corny how you pick this old B.S. music, Richard!
you wanna tell an artist what to play? c'mon!
You don't know anything about music.
Dude you got to stop heating the spoon so much.
There aren’t enough people doing covers of 60s standards for your taste? Dime a dozen.
Plonker!