blues and ragtime together

Got a Robert Johnson breakthrough yesterday.  Just playing outside in the backyard, messing with 32 20 Blues.  Then I started mixing in some pentatonic improv, and it began to expand.  I felt that here was the way to play RJ without singing.  So now my interest in blues is back, and especially in RJ.  I ordered an "easy play" book of his songs on Amazon, along with a book of Rev. Gary Davis rags and  one on fingerstyle Beatles.

So, workin' on RJ and 32 20 blues, and ready to add blues and ragtime into a set list.

12 string

got to play a friend's 12 string Taylor.  Really really nice sound!  It reinforced what I've been experiencing with my VG strat.  I play ragtime on it with 12 string acoustic mode, and it sounds great.  Just that right touch of musicbox and carnival that goes so well with ragtime.  Chimey and dreamy and summertime.  Methinks if I get an acoustic it will be a 12 stringer!

still working on ragtime

still working on the same ragtime pieces.  good progress.  mostly using the 12 string acoustic mode with the VG strat.  Having fun!

oh, my last lesson went well

so I had my last lesson during final's week.  It went well, and Tom was in a good mood.  I didn't say whether I'd be back or not, and he didn't ask.  We ended on good terms.  I feel good to go on my own now and study ragtime guitar.  I've worked through the rags in the Kenny Sultan book, and soon I'll order a book of Rev. Gary Davis rags.  I think I can simplify and streamline the rags to suit my skills and style.

guitar ragtime

OK, gonna stay with guitar ragtime.  gonna play it chord-based, and not so much with syncopated fingerpicking.  this will save my thumb some pain.  anyhoo, it's easier that way.  chords with some melody notes will suffice.  the basic sound comes through and it's easier.  so far I have two by Blind Boy Fuller, Wabash Rag and Keep on Truckin.  My book has two more by Blind Blake, That's Not Gonna Happen to Me, and Blake's Breakdown.

Lesson this week went well.  Working on the Truckin' song.  Doing it fingerstyle for Tom.

Piano plans on hold.  Guitar stuff is working out fine.

somehow mix piano, guitar, and ragtime

so i'm gonna mix these three up some way.  like, my piano can be a looper i think.  play a section then have it repeat, like a VI II V I progression.  then play guitar lead over it.  OR, play guitar sheet music on the piano, and modify as needed.  I bet I could play robert johnson and others on the piano instead of guitar.  how will that sound?

it will give me something to do over the summer.  i want something different.  I"m not so good at either instrument, so if i mix it up like this then maybe something good will come of it. 

Ragtime piano, blues guitar

Ok, I pulled out my old piano sheet music. Playing the entertainer by Joplin again. Will switch to ragtime piano, with lessons next spring. Guitar will be my blues instrument. I'm back to a focus on piano. Wow! Didn't expect it.