John James Talks about Ragtime Guitar and Plays 12th Street Rag

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ธ.ค. 2011
  • Buy John's New Album, 'Cafe Vienna': stoptimerecordings.com/NEW-ALB...
    John James Talks about Ragtime Guitar and Plays 12th Street Rag. Recorded some time in the early '90's and not widely seen.
    Here's a tutorial I recorded on how to play it:
    • Pt.1: How to play 12th...
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ความคิดเห็น • 145

  • @shoesalad5180
    @shoesalad5180 6 ปีที่แล้ว +148

    Honestly what I’ve found playing more complex pieces, specifically ragtime, or honestly anything with fast picking, the mistakes come when you’re actively thinking about what you’re playing. Think about what’s coming and quickly memorize it, not in your head, but in your hands. It’s kind of hard to explain, but it becomes muscle memory and then you can work on speed.

    • @lonecolamarine
      @lonecolamarine 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Shoesalad EXACTLY!
      I am just the same way when I play the Entertainer on piano!

    • @nelsonvontitfuk1471
      @nelsonvontitfuk1471 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Flow state. I get what you're saying.

    • @jackliu7326
      @jackliu7326 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      So true the second I start thinking about what the next note is I stuff up. My dad says that to sing or play perfectly you need to be in state of complete relaxation and just let the notes come to you.

    • @akaki202
      @akaki202 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      practice, thats about it

    • @tedscott1478
      @tedscott1478 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yup it's called muscle memory, the memory doesn't come from the brain but from your hands and fingers..

  • @chriskerr615
    @chriskerr615 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    My guitar watches this when I’m out of the house. 😂😂😂

    • @kingreinhold9905
      @kingreinhold9905 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      😂😂😂

    • @dp-bc8ii
      @dp-bc8ii ปีที่แล้ว +1

      "I wish someone knew how to play me like that"

  • @bjrnmgranvang1107
    @bjrnmgranvang1107 7 ปีที่แล้ว +130

    I caught myself smiling when I watched this. Not necessarily because I'm particularily impressed over the technique, which is okay too of course. It's just that most amateur guitarpickers on TH-cam looks like their playing in their own funeral or something. This guy seem to enjoy what he's doing. Makes a huge difference.

    • @werewolfhunter2011
      @werewolfhunter2011 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bjørn Granvang what do you mean? Why do they look like that?

    • @mezzmezzrow426
      @mezzmezzrow426 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@werewolfhunter2011 Perhaps because they're paying too much attention to being "the best" technically instead of enjoying the actual music. Atleast, that is something that has always struck me about the whole youtube guitar world

    • @undrellx
      @undrellx 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      this man, John James, is a legend! .. not just some amateur...

    • @joesmith-ok8ip
      @joesmith-ok8ip 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@undrellx I second that, James is a brilliant guitar player, I'd like to hear that dude that said his technique is "ok" try it

    • @undrellx
      @undrellx 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@joesmith-ok8ip 👍

  • @ianshircore
    @ianshircore 8 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    John James is the guy the young Elvis Costello used to go to watch at the Hanging Lamp in Richmond in 1968/69. Says so in his book. Still the best ever

  • @SBOReeves
    @SBOReeves  11 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Hey there, thanks for watching. I don't have the tab but I did learn to play this tune from watching the video - working out the notes is pretty easy compared with making it sound as smooth and polished as Mr. James! I've also worked out the Slow Drag from his other video that I posted - that one is a little more complex...
    If you want and if I get time I could post up a tutorial video...?
    Happy picking!

    • @HALOWEENTHER
      @HALOWEENTHER 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      pleaseeeeee

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@HALOWEENTHER Thanks for your comment - here's part one of the tutorial... Happy picking!
      th-cam.com/video/Aw7fyTu023w/w-d-xo.html

    • @HALOWEENTHER
      @HALOWEENTHER 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SBOReeves OH GOD THANK YOU ♥♥

    • @robertnewell5057
      @robertnewell5057 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      You nailed this. I play about half a dozen of John's pieces. I've been playing some of them for 40 years. Regrettably they all lack his fluency and drive

  • @edwardmorton6691
    @edwardmorton6691 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I love that guitar style absolutely mesmerising. Those syncopated rhythms will have me thinking of this tune all day. What a wonderful plucker.

  • @IWantaVacation
    @IWantaVacation 8 ปีที่แล้ว +136

    Dammit, I suck at guitar.

    • @kevingeesilva
      @kevingeesilva 8 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      +Forming Stories Same lol I tried playing guitar about 7 months ago and started with this song... Worst mistake of my life.. I now quit and want to play again but REALLY REALLY REALLY want to learn this song. I say just take it easy and learn some easy songs and move up, Unless you already know how to play good haha

    • @IWantaVacation
      @IWantaVacation 8 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      lol, ive been playing for 15 years. I thought i played pretty decent until i started looking up ragtime videos. I mostly play metal type stuff, but this video made me realize i suck haha.

    • @kevingeesilva
      @kevingeesilva 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Forming Stories WTH!!! OMG lol I only played for like a month... Do you make videos?

    • @IWantaVacation
      @IWantaVacation 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yeah, check this channel. got lots of music on here. Even have two albums, one called LIFE, a 30 minute instrumental adventure that flows as one giant song split into 7 tracks.

    • @winter2400
      @winter2400 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's actually not as hard as it might seem at first glance. If you wanna get started on this kind of technique you should first check out one of Tommy Emmanuel's videos on how to get started on fingerstyle guitar th-cam.com/video/u0ocjT3gObE/w-d-xo.html
      After a while stuff like this gets really easy

  • @reprac9
    @reprac9 12 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Oh yes ,, classic John James ,, used to love watching him live, doing the club rounds in the 70"s .. :)

  • @taildragger53
    @taildragger53 12 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I remember this man from 1972..rushing out and buying a Transatlantic sampler LP from Colletts Records in London. I recall reading in The Record Mirror he was called "'The Welsh Django Reinhardt"'.
    I was astounded by his version of "'Picture Rag"" and i haven't recovered yet.
    I never realised he was so humorous.

  • @franksavagesart9849
    @franksavagesart9849 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    John James ...I remember an old track of yours from MANY years back called Nola and that was a great influence on me and my friends back then in early Liverpool...Great to see you finally!

  • @ThaSupaboi
    @ThaSupaboi 8 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    speed it up to 1.25, magical

    • @iamcrog134
      @iamcrog134 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ThaSupaboi I sped it up at just the right time, just after they stopped talking and he started playing without interruptions. It was magical, thank you!

    • @nelsonvontitfuk1471
      @nelsonvontitfuk1471 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It sounds like shit lmao

  • @alexsarabia8884
    @alexsarabia8884 7 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    so this where they got the spongebob music from

    • @jamesrussell5196
      @jamesrussell5196 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      They have a killer Polynesian style jazz guitar combo

    • @tjteiler2746
      @tjteiler2746 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      nope

    • @RamenNarwal
      @RamenNarwal 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not really

    • @wpawipisda
      @wpawipisda 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Watch "Roy Clark - 12th Street Rag"

    • @aestheticbeatz5700
      @aestheticbeatz5700 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep its a super upbeat beat jazz tune and I think they just did it on a Ukulele but im not sure

  • @SiggyMe
    @SiggyMe 10 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This is just cool as it gets. Glad I am going to give it a go by watching this one video over and over. Just learning a few parts can be liberating! WOW!

  • @oldboatsguy
    @oldboatsguy 10 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    So melodic and smooth. I really like this sound!

  • @MauriatOttolink
    @MauriatOttolink 9 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Astounding player. Adapted to guitar so well, an unlikely task.
    Took some very interesting and melodic liberties but remained utterly within the spirit of 12St. R. Reckon a lot was improvised and the next splendid version wouldn't be exactly the same although just as enjoyable. Thank you. You made a sax player very happy (2nd love is guitar!)

  • @markopolo2224
    @markopolo2224 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    i love ragtime so much

    • @markopolo2224
      @markopolo2224 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      i still do

    • @RingOffRosie
      @RingOffRosie 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I hope you still enjoy ragtime :)​@@markopolo2224

  • @undrellx
    @undrellx 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    awesome... John James is a great guitarist and very funny with it... he played Cardiff Uni in the early 70's and I remember him playing a Levin goliath and taking all the bridge pins out, playing something and then putting them all back in again! made a big impression as you can see... his mastery of ragtime style is demonstrated by the way he is just SO relaxed, whilst dominating that fretboard and his right hand is doing everything almost unwittingly except we know it isn't unwitting at all. thanks for posting

  • @MegaNavek
    @MegaNavek 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    have a live tape of performance in 74 in guildford john was very brilliant and funny.....toured a few dates with him in germany with a band ...rolled up to do gig at club and it had burnt down the night before....john was still funny....where are you now....nice bloke love you to hear tape of 74

  • @SideshowJosiah
    @SideshowJosiah 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Aww man this technique is great! I'm already learning it and I'm very excited to be using it in my music. And to adapt to this kinda style! Thank you!!!

  • @c9sus4
    @c9sus4 8 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Man, 1st time seeing this guy, amazing!

  • @jmv668
    @jmv668 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    he is a Guitar Hero, love his style

  • @MrGitpicker
    @MrGitpicker 10 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That was great! Thank you for posting.

  • @booswalia
    @booswalia 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That is some very fine picking. Thanks for sharing it.

  • @truthstillmatters59
    @truthstillmatters59 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I really enjoyed this. I consider myself an intermediate player and this is much more advanced than what I am currently capable of playing.

  • @UlyssesJurado
    @UlyssesJurado 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    John James changed my life

  • @DelOfTheShire
    @DelOfTheShire 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love this video! Thanks for posting.

  • @ultimatefarming8055
    @ultimatefarming8055 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely piece, I really can’t explain how hard it is playing fingerstyle let alone with a thumb pick!

  • @MrStrings24
    @MrStrings24 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    brilliant! makes me smile.

  • @PG-
    @PG- 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Stunning!

  • @slgis
    @slgis 10 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    He's playing a Martin M-36. It's probably from the late '70s or early '80s. It's 16" wide, but it has the depth of a 000. The model (and the fancier M-38) was developed because people were converting old Martin arch tops into flat tops, and Martin saw a market for them. They are sometimes known as 0000's.

  • @Claymor621
    @Claymor621 8 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I remember seeing himi on the telly in about 1974, complete with hair.

    • @MrMd5555
      @MrMd5555 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I'm American so when I first read this I thought you meant you saw him playing a tele, as in a telecaster! I thought oh cool, I'll have to search for John James playing telecaster in 1974...then I read it again and realized that's not what you meant! Lol

  • @geula-of-israel
    @geula-of-israel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    AMAZING!!

  • @drillerczyt8735
    @drillerczyt8735 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolute legend

  • @karlvilhelmerlandsson4730
    @karlvilhelmerlandsson4730 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing guitar player!!

  • @rodanone4895
    @rodanone4895 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You could cut any three of his fingers off and he'd be at least five times better than me still. WOW! I so wish I could do this.

  • @christopherwilson3442
    @christopherwilson3442 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like John James, great picker. Not seen him for years though. Chris Wilson.

  • @knuckle47
    @knuckle47 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome skills.

  • @donnachamcgowan
    @donnachamcgowan 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant picking Amazing picking.

  • @olderendirt
    @olderendirt 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Delightful! :)

  • @DavidGilmourrocks
    @DavidGilmourrocks ปีที่แล้ว

    upon explanation the light of laughter shone upon me. true mastery of the craft

  • @4NDREW100
    @4NDREW100 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Funny how this stuff died out with not many learning it, and then people like Tommy Emanuel come along playing this style, and think it's new :') definitely something I'm gunna learn :D

  • @itsRemco
    @itsRemco 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cool video!

  • @TheRammy12
    @TheRammy12 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes please! thanks!

  • @passionguitar666
    @passionguitar666 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    that was amazing

  • @vhego
    @vhego 7 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    To all the people who think they're good at guitar, they don't know ragtime, I think this is the most difficult shit to play

    • @superiordefenderxii7072
      @superiordefenderxii7072 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It's probably hard, but right now I'm playing flamenco. Flamenco makes everything else seem easy (to me anyways). But I'm sure ragtime isn't easy at all. Which makes it fun to learn. :) Challenge breeds excellence.

    • @fartenthusiast-zl2qv
      @fartenthusiast-zl2qv 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ragtime isn’t hard bro

    • @MattStormage
      @MattStormage 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      What are some famous (and preferably not too difficult) ragtime songs for guitar? I haven't really dabbled in this style yet, but it seems really fun.

    • @nelsonvontitfuk1471
      @nelsonvontitfuk1471 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I would say its the hardest, but its definitely tough to get the hang of. But once you get the timing down im your muscle memory its like riding a bike

    • @nelsonvontitfuk1471
      @nelsonvontitfuk1471 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think gypsy jazz is harder

  • @JaapvandenHelm
    @JaapvandenHelm 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very nice

  • @JonathanNicholas
    @JonathanNicholas 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome, Im actually supporting this guy next month! safe to say I wont be doing any ragtime...

  • @Uvve123
    @Uvve123 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow!

  •  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "He played it on a trombone ... only once though ... he had to get a plumber in after that"

  • @BatMan-kj2ft
    @BatMan-kj2ft 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Respect :'v ❤️

  • @emanff18
    @emanff18 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thought this guy is from the Simpsons

  • @AngelFlores-mb6oh
    @AngelFlores-mb6oh 8 ปีที่แล้ว +90

    sounds like spongebob

    • @ThaSupaboi
      @ThaSupaboi 8 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      +Angel Flores spongebob got it from here

    • @anonimo120797
      @anonimo120797 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      cause it is

    • @jamesrussell5196
      @jamesrussell5196 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ThaSupaboi it’s a scot Joplin song he invented jazz in the really early 1900s

  • @anthonyclegg1511
    @anthonyclegg1511 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Superb guitar playing, I will never be that good in a million years. 😂😂🐱🐱💓🎸.

  • @AnalogOpher
    @AnalogOpher ปีที่แล้ว

    What a genius.

  • @singlereed
    @singlereed 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Looking me most of the best players, his fantastic technique and clever arrangements make it look easy. But it isn't :-)

  • @yurvedicenergy3214
    @yurvedicenergy3214 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    After this i decided to stop to play my guitar ..i think i have more future with a tambourine

  • @susanroycroft89
    @susanroycroft89 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow, and I can see why its best in drop D, a very different way to play, but I like it😅😅😅

  • @travisreid7
    @travisreid7 10 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    @stevieclel I don't think it's a 000-45, maybe a 000-35, 000-28 or 000-18. The 42's and 45's all have abalone inlay on the top if I'm not mistaken, and I can't see this guitar that closely, but it doesn't look like it has any inlay on the top. As far as the year, I would guess by the finish that it's 60's-70's, but once again, I'm not sure about that at all.

    • @robertnewell5057
      @robertnewell5057 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's a Martin M36. John has played one off and on for years. Another of his main guitars was a Fylde years ago, but I haven't seen that on TH-cam.

  • @TheRammy12
    @TheRammy12 11 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    anyone have the tabs for this? i want it so badly :((

    • @gantaroo3140
      @gantaroo3140 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If you're still interested there's a good transcription on musescore

  • @love_exegence
    @love_exegence 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    shit is fire

  • @user-fp9tk3jm6i
    @user-fp9tk3jm6i 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is one of the best guitar videos i ever seen. If you think you good at guitar playing two string metal shit, try this.

  • @greenbook4856
    @greenbook4856 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    What tuning is his guitar in

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's in standard tuning. I've posted a tutorial on how to play this tune - check out my other videos if you're interested!

  • @keenb641
    @keenb641 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    4:20 is fucking insane

  • @moehoward21
    @moehoward21 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kind of sounds like the music played in ice age when they walk through the frozen hall of all the extinct creatures

  • @Northyorkspaul
    @Northyorkspaul 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes makes you want to lock your guitar away!.

  • @estebanmartinez6553
    @estebanmartinez6553 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    dan castallanetas distant brother

  • @Escape99100
    @Escape99100 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    it's very hard to get an indipendence of the thumb from the other fingers

    • @Dakotaidk
      @Dakotaidk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No it's not. How the help do you use your cellphone???

  • @quafog
    @quafog 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    "And then all you gotta do is"

  • @knoxjames3427
    @knoxjames3427 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    My name is John James too lmao

  • @MilitaryKid2012
    @MilitaryKid2012 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ragtime was actually pretty good music

  • @b.e.r.nnetwork8251
    @b.e.r.nnetwork8251 8 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The use of the pick really takes away the greatness off the guitar. The pick has its use but my God fingerstyle takes it to another level

  • @nepsy1623
    @nepsy1623 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    He looks and sound like Michael rosen

  • @jannielsen1262
    @jannielsen1262 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    I Think it is a Martin m36

  • @maltewolfcastle4306
    @maltewolfcastle4306 ปีที่แล้ว

    Spongebob brought me here... well it did not, but it could have

  • @biancadavino6370
    @biancadavino6370 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    dis velly ni

  • @Dakotaidk
    @Dakotaidk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow, regular old classical finger picking being called "genius" or "hard to do"

    • @Atomic1710
      @Atomic1710 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don’t be jealous idiot

  • @ricktemmen6272
    @ricktemmen6272 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    He very talented but I don't care for the voicing he plays in his chords. Nice video. Thanks 👍

  • @mr.k.6359
    @mr.k.6359 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why do brits have fruit up everything, get the Roy Clark version from lightning fingers, or at least the spike jones.

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Kaizer J I'm not sure what you just wrote makes any sense. Is English your first language?

    • @mr.k.6359
      @mr.k.6359 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Simon Reeves those are the really great versions of 12th street rag that exist. the British fingerpicking stile seams to lack merle Travis as a major influences, so when we hear you guys play it sounds bad to us, especially when it comes to our famous old songs. Fingerpicking got pretty evolved in the USA in the 1940's. Do you want to speak another language or something?

    • @briandunstan3503
      @briandunstan3503 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mr. K. nobody would want to play like Merle Travis would they, if we copied him we wouldn't have people like eric Clapton, Keith Richards , and you wouldn't have had Elvis, the only decent guitarists you ever had were black blues men ,in fact I think ragtime was a black invention wasn't it.correct me if I'm wrong.

    • @robertnewell5057
      @robertnewell5057 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Perhaps you haven't realised that music isn't a competition. Roy Clark is a great guitar player. His version is single string played with a band and does not include any of the bass part, etc. So it probably isn't a fair comparison. Chet has a good version.Finally, to be abundantly clear, what you later call 'fingerpicking' derived from a wide variety of sources, including European and English classical traditions and US acoustic blues long before the 1940s.

  • @Crunglebrungle
    @Crunglebrungle 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    haha go play banjo

  • @stevenkoehler6018
    @stevenkoehler6018 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    SO fraekin' good