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

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  • Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
  • Buy John's New Album, 'Cafe Vienna': stoptimerecordi...
    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...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 150

  • @shoesalad5180
    @shoesalad5180 7 років тому +159

    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 років тому +5

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

    • @nelsonvontitfuk1471
      @nelsonvontitfuk1471 6 років тому +7

      Flow state. I get what you're saying.

    • @jackliu7326
      @jackliu7326 6 років тому +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 роки тому +1

      practice, thats about it

    • @tedscott1478
      @tedscott1478 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @bjrnmgranvang1107
    @bjrnmgranvang1107 7 років тому +135

    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 UA-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 років тому

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

    • @mezzmezzrow426
      @mezzmezzrow426 5 років тому +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 років тому +12

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

    • @joesmith-ok8ip
      @joesmith-ok8ip 4 роки тому +18

      @@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 роки тому

      @@joesmith-ok8ip 👍

  • @chriskerr615
    @chriskerr615 3 роки тому +30

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

  • @ianshircore
    @ianshircore 8 років тому +25

    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

  • @edwardmorton6691
    @edwardmorton6691 3 роки тому +10

    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 9 років тому +137

    Dammit, I suck at guitar.

    • @kevingeesilva
      @kevingeesilva 9 років тому +6

      +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 9 років тому +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 9 років тому +2

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

    • @IWantaVacation
      @IWantaVacation 9 років тому +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 роки тому

      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 ua-cam.com/video/u0ocjT3gObE/v-deo.html
      After a while stuff like this gets really easy

  • @SBOReeves
    @SBOReeves  12 років тому +20

    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 роки тому

      pleaseeeeee

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  4 роки тому +2

      @@HALOWEENTHER Thanks for your comment - here's part one of the tutorial... Happy picking!
      ua-cam.com/video/Aw7fyTu023w/v-deo.html

    • @HALOWEENTHER
      @HALOWEENTHER 4 роки тому

      @@SBOReeves OH GOD THANK YOU ♥♥

    • @robertnewell5057
      @robertnewell5057 3 роки тому

      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

  • @alexsarabia8884
    @alexsarabia8884 7 років тому +109

    so this where they got the spongebob music from

    • @jamesrussell5196
      @jamesrussell5196 4 роки тому +3

      They have a killer Polynesian style jazz guitar combo

    • @tjteiler2746
      @tjteiler2746 3 роки тому

      nope

    • @RamenNarwal
      @RamenNarwal 3 роки тому +1

      Not really

    • @wpawipisda
      @wpawipisda 3 роки тому +2

      Watch "Roy Clark - 12th Street Rag"

    • @aestheticbeatz5700
      @aestheticbeatz5700 3 роки тому

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

  • @taildragger53
    @taildragger53 12 років тому +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.

  • @reprac9
    @reprac9 12 років тому +4

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

  • @slgis
    @slgis 10 років тому +14

    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.

  • @ThaSupaboi
    @ThaSupaboi 8 років тому +27

    speed it up to 1.25, magical

    • @iamcrog134
      @iamcrog134 6 років тому +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 років тому +4

      It sounds like shit lmao

  • @SiggyMe
    @SiggyMe 10 років тому +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 11 років тому +6

    So melodic and smooth. I really like this sound!

  • @MauriatOttolink
    @MauriatOttolink 9 років тому +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!)

  • @c9sus4
    @c9sus4 8 років тому +3

    Man, 1st time seeing this guy, amazing!

  • @Ma_rkw589
    @Ma_rkw589 Місяць тому

    John James my new favourite guitarist

  • @MegaNavek
    @MegaNavek 9 років тому

    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

  • @truthstillmatters59
    @truthstillmatters59 8 місяців тому

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

  • @undrellx
    @undrellx 5 років тому

    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

  • @franksavagesart9849
    @franksavagesart9849 7 років тому

    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!

    • @Ma_rkw589
      @Ma_rkw589 Місяць тому

      Fellow scouser here. Is right lad

    • @Ma_rkw589
      @Ma_rkw589 Місяць тому

      Your sculptures are really great 👍

  • @booswalia
    @booswalia 10 місяців тому

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

  • @DavidGilmourrocks
    @DavidGilmourrocks 2 роки тому

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

  • @SideshowJosiah
    @SideshowJosiah 5 років тому +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!!!

  • @jmv668
    @jmv668 7 років тому +1

    he is a Guitar Hero, love his style

  • @Claymor621
    @Claymor621 8 років тому +6

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

    • @MrMd5555
      @MrMd5555 4 роки тому +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

  • @christopherwilson3442
    @christopherwilson3442 Рік тому

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

  • @UlyssesJurado
    @UlyssesJurado 5 років тому

    John James changed my life

  • @4NDREW100
    @4NDREW100 8 років тому

    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

  • @rodanone4895
    @rodanone4895 7 років тому +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.

  • @ultimatefarming8055
    @ultimatefarming8055 5 років тому

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

  • @MrGitpicker
    @MrGitpicker 10 років тому +1

    That was great! Thank you for posting.

  • @karlvilhelmerlandsson4730
    @karlvilhelmerlandsson4730 8 місяців тому

    Amazing guitar player!!

  • @AnalogOpher
    @AnalogOpher Рік тому +1

    What a genius.

  • @vhego
    @vhego 8 років тому +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 років тому +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 років тому

      Ragtime isn’t hard bro

    • @MattStormage
      @MattStormage 6 років тому

      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 років тому

      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 років тому

      I think gypsy jazz is harder

  • @drillerczyt8735
    @drillerczyt8735 3 роки тому

    Absolute legend

  • @anthonyclegg1511
    @anthonyclegg1511 Рік тому

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

  •  4 роки тому +2

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

  • @singlereed
    @singlereed 7 років тому +6

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

  • @AngelFlores-mb6oh
    @AngelFlores-mb6oh 8 років тому +90

    sounds like spongebob

    • @ThaSupaboi
      @ThaSupaboi 8 років тому +18

      +Angel Flores spongebob got it from here

    • @anonimo120797
      @anonimo120797 6 років тому +4

      cause it is

    • @jamesrussell5196
      @jamesrussell5196 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @geula-of-israel
    @geula-of-israel 8 місяців тому

    AMAZING!!

  • @MrStrings24
    @MrStrings24 12 років тому

    brilliant! makes me smile.

  • @itsRemco
    @itsRemco 10 місяців тому

    Cool video!

  • @PG-
    @PG- 11 років тому

    Stunning!

  • @travisreid7
    @travisreid7 10 років тому +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 3 роки тому

      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 UA-cam.

  • @knuckle47
    @knuckle47 4 роки тому

    Awesome skills.

  • @DelOfTheShire
    @DelOfTheShire 11 років тому

    Love this video! Thanks for posting.

  • @donnachamcgowan
    @donnachamcgowan 5 років тому

    Brilliant picking Amazing picking.

  • @olderendirt
    @olderendirt 7 років тому +1

    Delightful! :)

  • @susanroycroft89
    @susanroycroft89 8 місяців тому

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

  • @JonathanNicholas
    @JonathanNicholas 11 років тому

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

  • @b.e.r.nnetwork8251
    @b.e.r.nnetwork8251 8 років тому +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

  • @passionguitar666
    @passionguitar666 6 років тому

    that was amazing

  • @yurvedicenergy3214
    @yurvedicenergy3214 4 роки тому +2

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

  • @JaapvandenHelm
    @JaapvandenHelm 7 років тому

    Very nice

  • @TheRammy12
    @TheRammy12 11 років тому

    Yes please! thanks!

  • @Uvve123
    @Uvve123 10 років тому

    Wow!

  • @user-fp9tk3jm6i
    @user-fp9tk3jm6i 6 років тому

    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.

  • @BatMan-kj2ft
    @BatMan-kj2ft 7 років тому +1

    Respect :'v ❤️

  • @moehoward21
    @moehoward21 4 роки тому

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

  • @emanff18
    @emanff18 3 роки тому +2

    Thought this guy is from the Simpsons

  • @jeffloewi5632
    @jeffloewi5632 Місяць тому

    Watch out Richard Smith, there's an old sheriff in town.

  • @TheRammy12
    @TheRammy12 12 років тому +1

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

    • @gantaroo3140
      @gantaroo3140 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @Escape99100
    @Escape99100 6 років тому +1

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

    • @Dakotaidk
      @Dakotaidk 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @erniegibbs4002
    @erniegibbs4002 14 днів тому

    I'm mad as hell!!

  • @greenbook4856
    @greenbook4856 5 років тому

    What tuning is his guitar in

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  5 років тому

      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!

  • @knoxjames3427
    @knoxjames3427 3 роки тому

    My name is John James too lmao

  • @keenb641
    @keenb641 6 років тому

    4:20 is fucking insane

  • @love_exegence
    @love_exegence 5 років тому

    shit is fire

  • @squidwarf
    @squidwarf 4 роки тому

    dan castallanetas distant brother

  • @quafog
    @quafog 3 роки тому

    "And then all you gotta do is"

  • @MilitaryKid2012
    @MilitaryKid2012 10 років тому

    Ragtime was actually pretty good music

  • @Northyorkspaul
    @Northyorkspaul 8 років тому

    Yes makes you want to lock your guitar away!.

  • @maltewolfcastle4306
    @maltewolfcastle4306 Рік тому

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

  • @Dakotaidk
    @Dakotaidk 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @Atomic1710
      @Atomic1710 2 роки тому

      Don’t be jealous idiot

  • @nepsy1623
    @nepsy1623 4 роки тому

    He looks and sound like Michael rosen

  • @jannielsen1262
    @jannielsen1262 10 років тому

    I Think it is a Martin m36

  • @ricktemmen6272
    @ricktemmen6272 5 років тому

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

  • @jrjr1295
    @jrjr1295 23 дні тому

    Bro had ego

  • @LastOfTheLeatherAge
    @LastOfTheLeatherAge 7 років тому

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

    • @SBOReeves
      @SBOReeves  7 років тому

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

    • @LastOfTheLeatherAge
      @LastOfTheLeatherAge 7 років тому

      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 років тому

      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 3 роки тому

      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.

  • @biancadavino6370
    @biancadavino6370 8 років тому

    dis velly ni

  • @Crunglebrungle
    @Crunglebrungle 3 роки тому

    haha go play banjo

  • @stevenkoehler6018
    @stevenkoehler6018 6 місяців тому

    SO fraekin' good