Ragtime : The Entertainer – Scott Joplin

[Geoff]

I always find music translated from piano to guitar pretty tricky to play. It seems like the piano is actually a more capable instrument in terms of playing complex harmonies and trying to replicate that on guitar is hard. This piece makes a lot of use of ‘carry over’ notes on the bass and I am not always able to hold them down while playing the treble parts. I have the same issue playing Bach pieces probably for similar reasons – Bach did not write specifically for the guitar or even the lute.

Anyway, I thought I would throw out something different from my usual lineup. The song should be well known to many of you and Scott Joplin was one of the ragtime greats on piano.

[Ken]

I’ve done a few tunes from piano to guitar and I know exactly what you mean. I think you did a great job on making that piece your own.
Thank you

Ken F

[Geoff]

Thanks Ken. What is impresses me is how people manage to transcribe these in the first place.

[charjo]

Impressive, Geoff. That looks technically difficult for both hands.
John

[Guido]

Amazing job, Geoff! Such a difficult piece to play on guitar! Great rendition on your classical (and congrats to your cheerleader for her – or him?- accompaniment)!

Guido

[Geoff]

Its a her. A very bossy girls who thinks me and my wife are her slaves 🙂

[Richard G]

Super rendition Geoff, on what has to be the ‘ultimate challenge’ for fingerstyle players. Scott Joplin’s pieces are always complicated but at least he had two hands to select the melody.

Richard

[Geoff]

I think you are right Richard. The right hand was easy for me but the left – phew!

[Helen Lazaridou]

Congrats my dearest Geoff!!!!I was really looking forward to listening to you playing this piece!If you remember,I told you I used to play it on the accordion!I can understand what you mean about the challenge of transferring it from the piano to the guitar!Some parts looked really tricky and yet you did it justice 💗💗I wish I had such a great cheerleader too🤣🤣🤣

[Geoff]

Hi Helen, you can always find a cheerleader for about 40 bucks at your nearest pet store. It’s only after that 40 bucks that you realize the thousands of dollars you have gotten into keeping them healthy and happy – that said, she really is a wonderful companion and she loves music.

[John H]

Bravo! You combine the best of Ragtime with Classical Guitar. Thank you for sharing Geoff! One of my absolute favorite compositions. I first heard it in the early 70’s as it was the theme music for the film “The Sting.” Nicely played. You have inspired me to dust off my Yamaha-230 Classical Guitar. I am going to get it set up and start growing out my nails again. Ugh! Nevertheless, this presentation was an absolute joy. Best wishes.

John

[Geoff]

Yay! I have inspired you to pick up the classical guitar again John 🙂 In my mind, it is still the ultimate guitar style but I am biased as I am sure you know by now.

By the way, I have heard some good arguments that you don’t actually need nails for classical guitar playing. I have always done it that way so I grow my nails – personally I prefer the brighter sound I get from having them. There were huge debates between Fernando Sor and Aguado on this topic back in the 19th century.

Of course, I remember that movie well.

[” Slappy”]

wow! simply wow! technical and impressive!

[David L]

This is wonderful, Geoff. I can definitely hear your classical guitar technical prowess in this. You did justice to this challenging piece. Kudos to you, sir.

[Geoff]

Thanks David. Like I was saying to Richard G above, the classical technique made this easy on the right hand. The left hand technique was tough though – I could manage the big jumps but holding down the ‘carry over’s’ was murderously difficult in some spots and I couldn’t always do it.

[James B]

Very impressive, Geoff. You’re all over the fretboard. It’s cool to be able to play a melody that everyone knows.

James

[Geoff]

Of course, the downside of playing a melody everybody knows is everybody can hear your mistakes 🙂

[sunjamr]

Really well played, Geoff. I am hugely impressed. I’ve always wanted to learn that, but after hearing Richard Smith playing it, it seemed way too complicated, so I gave up all hope:

Sunjamr Steve

[Geoff]

Thanks Sunjamr. I try not to get too discouraged listening to others playing stuff. People on youtube are so good that, If I was comparing myself to them, I doubt I would ever get out the gate.

Richard Smith plays this brilliantly and way better that I ever could.

[Rene A]

Very nicely done.
Quite complicated music, and you actually made it look easy!
I am enjoying your performance, and you are so appreciated, my friend!
Your guitar tone is beautiful, love this recording!!!

[Geoff]

Thanks Rene. So glad you enjoyed this.

This is a very different style to what I am used to playing.

[Clarke]

Geoff,

That is a herculean effort my friend. I don’t play piano but I think I would have a better chance of learning it there as opposed to the guitar. I am totally impressed the way that you got that under your hands. Quite the challenge and you met it well.

Clarke

[Geoff]

Thanks Clarke. It took some work to get it down.

[Garry]

Just had another listen Geoff. Well played. I left a comment on your YouTube Channel last week and for some reason I couldn’t leave a message on the forum. Hope this gets through. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Geoff]

Thanks Garry. I just took a look at your youtube comment. I had to practice this one a lot to maintain a smooth flow – there were big fretboard jumps required in some spots.

[WBlues]

Great play Geoff. Bravo! Your bird was on the beat too..lol. Well done.

Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

Wilfried

[Richard W]

That’s a great achievement, Geoff. What a technical challenge! You pulled it off well.

[Manfred M]

This is a tough one, Geoff. But you did a really great job. And you transport the spirit of this epic piano ragtime with your fine guitarplaying.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
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I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Andy N]

Who’s not going to like a bit of ragtime 🙂 What a great job you did with this Geoff. I’ve always enjoyed listening to Scott Joplin from the time of The Sting film when my parents picked up a record of his recordings. I’ve got a book of tabs somewhere and I recall giving both The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag a go but rapidly giving up in despair!

[Geoff]

Thanks Andy, I think it is always tough playing stuff written for piano transposed to guitar. The fingerings can be really tricky as was the case with this one. I am pretty sure you could play this one but you have to work the difficult spots over and over until you get them – I often lose patience on that too.

[Author]

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