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

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.

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 RU-vid looks like their playing in their own funeral or something. This guy seem to enjoy what he's doing. Makes a huge difference.

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

Dammit, I suck at guitar.

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!

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

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

so this where they got the spongebob music from

speed it up to 1.25, magical

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

So melodic and smooth. I really like this sound!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!)

Man, 1st time seeing this guy, amazing!

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

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

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

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.

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!!!

he is a Guitar Hero, love his style

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

@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.

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

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

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

John James changed my life

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

That was great! Thank you for posting.

Cool video!

Amazing guitar player!!

AMAZING!!

brilliant! makes me smile.

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

Absolute legend

Awesome skills.

Brilliant picking Amazing picking.

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

sounds like spongebob

Stunning!

What a genius.

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

Love this video! Thanks for posting.

Very nice

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

Delightful! :)

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

that was amazing

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

Yes please! thanks!

Thought this guy is from the Simpsons

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

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

Wow!

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

Respect :'v ❤️

What tuning is his guitar in

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.

4:20 is fucking insane

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

dan castallanetas distant brother

shit is fire

I Think it is a Martin m36

Yes makes you want to lock your guitar away!.

"And then all you gotta do is"

My name is John James too lmao

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

He looks and sound like Michael rosen

Ragtime was actually pretty good music

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

dis velly ni

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

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

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

haha go play banjo

SO fraekin' good