Rev. Gary Davis was a musical giant. His ideas spanned a wide range of techniques and styles. In this series we focus on his ragtime blues.

Lesson One: This lesson highlights two of Rev. Davis’s most popular blues arrangements. Hesitation Blues is played in the key of C. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down is played in the key of G.

Lesson Two: The key of C was a favorite for Rev. Davis. In this lesson we explore the party tune Sally Where’d You Get Your Liquor From (made popular by Hot Tuna) and two versions of his very popular folk blues Candyman with the regular version followed by the Two-Step Candyman.

Lesson Three: "Raggin’ the blues" was a great part of Rev. Davis’s repertoire. His Walkin’ Dog Blues is a tour de force in a blues in C. I have transcribed ALL fourteen verses and we study how this arrangement develops. Buck Rag is a fascinating rag played in the key of C. Single-string runs, counterpoint lines, rhythmic variations and syncopated bass patterns are featured.

Level 2/3 • 40 page tab/music book with three compact discs

Review: Ragtime Fun. This book is real fun. I find the style of Rev. Gary Davis very intriguing. It takes a lot of time to master it, but this book has very accurate instructions. The CDs teach you step by step the songs that are listed, and the tablatures are very easy to read. The CDs also contain other songs of Gary Davis that are not in the list and are not taught, which are real rarities. A strange, 3/4 version, of “CandymanÆ and other songs you wont find on any commercial CD. – Spinillo Patrizio/Amazon Customer Review