Ragtime And Gospel

As part of the Art Of Acoustic Blues Guitar series, Ragtime and Gospel showcases the songs and techniques of two of the most fundamental and exciting styles of traditional fingerstyle guitar playing. This program presents the music of the legendary Reverend Gary Davis, featuring several of his well-known songs. Woody Mann illustrates how the music of one of America's greatest guitarist offers a complete lesson in the beauty and subtleties of ragtime and gospel guitar playing. Reverend Davis was one of the most gifted and original musicians of his generation. His music represents some of the most sophisticated sounds in the world of fingerstyle guitar. Since his death in 1972, Davis's influence has continued to grow as each new generation of guitarists discovers the excitement of his music. As a teenager, Woody Man studied privately with the master. In this program he teaches six of the Reverend's ragtime and gospel originals note-for-note, just as Davis taught him; detailing and explaining the picking techniques, chord positions, and fine points of phrasing.

Woody explores syncopated picking ideas, new approaches to chords and melodies, and explains how to apply Davis's method for creating endless variations and improvisations within a song. Additionally, fingerpicking techniques taught in Ragtime and Gospel can be applied to a variety of musical styles and genres. Near beginners to advanced players will benefit from this approach.