Guitar Rag Lesson Merle Travis - Part 1 - How To Play Guitar Rag

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Guitar Rag Mastery: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Merle Travis' Classic Tune
Introduction

The Man Behind The Music: Merle Travis

Merle Travis was an American country and western singer and songwriter who made a significant impact on the music industry. As a guitarist, his fingerpicking style and innovative use of harmonics were unlike anything that had been heard before. He was also a gifted songwriter, with hits such as “Sixteen Tons” and “Dark as a Dungeon” that continue to be covered by musicians today.

Travis played an essential role in the development of country music, popularizing the use of amplified guitars in performances. He was a master of the thumb-picking technique, which involved playing bass notes with the thumb while simultaneously playing melodies with his fingers.

The Significance Of Guitar Rag

One of Travis’s most well-known songs is “Guitar Rag,” which has become a staple for anyone learning to play fingerstyle guitar. The song is essentially an instrumental showcase for his unique style of picking and has been covered by countless artists since its initial release in 1946.

“Guitar Rag” is widely recognized as one of the best pieces of fingerstyle guitar ever recorded. It’s popularity likely stems from its infectious melody, technical complexity, and versatile structure. Learning to play this song will not only help you appreciate Merle Travis’s contributions to music but also develop your skills as a guitarist.

Getting Started

Choosing the Right Guitar for Playing the Guitar Rag

Before you start playing the Guitar Rag, it's important to choose the right guitar for the job. While any guitar can technically be used to play this song, certain types of guitars will be better suited to its style.

Acoustic guitars are generally preferred for playing country music, and they work well for this song too. Look for a guitar with a bright and clear sound that can really bring out the intricate fingerpicking patterns.

If you're looking for a specific recommendation, Merle Travis himself played Martin guitars throughout his career. A Martin D-28 or D-35 is a classic choice that can deliver the kind of tone you'll need to make this song really shine.

Breaking Down Each Section of the Song and Practicing Them Individually

Now it's time to tackle each section of Guitar Rag individually. The song is broken up into four main sections: Intro/Verse 1, Verse 2/Bridge 1, Verse 3/Bridge 2, and Outro. Start by focusing on the Intro/Verse 1 section - this will set you up for success as it's the foundation for the rest of the song.

Practice slowly at first until you feel confident with each chord change and strumming pattern. Once you've got Verse 1 down pat, move on to Verse 2/Bridge 1.

This section has a slightly different rhythm than Verse 1 but still follows the same chord progression. Make sure you're paying attention to when each chord change happens - this will help keep your playing smooth and fluid.

Next up is Verse 3/Bridge 2 - this section features some more complex fingerpicking patterns that may take some time to master. Take it slow and don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away - with practice, you'll get there!

Tackle the Outro. This section is similar to the Intro/Verse 1 section, so if you've got that down already this shouldn't be too difficult.

Remember to practice each section individually before trying to play the entire song through from start to finish. This will help you build up muscle memory and ensure that each section is played accurately and confidently.

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