How to Play Sugarfoot Rag

A Stylish kickoff and a great ending

Learn the tune Sugarfoot Rag, explore several variations, and gain an overview of how to play backup.

1

A Section

Kick It Off with Style

Instead of starting a song with the same ol' "potatoes", use this lick to establish the tempo. Watch for the position shifts. Use the time when playing an open string to make your move, and watch ...
2

Creating Variations in the A Section

A Few Variations

Our first lick is a notey fiddle tune variation. Where we did have some longer notes in the original melody we now have all 16th notes. This constant motion is very common in fiddle tunes and is a...
3

The B Section

Slide, Slide, Slippity Slide

Time to get greasy my babies. The B part is all about the slide. You could play that opening riff with flatpicking, but slides are more funner, ask any 3rd grader. They know what's up. Watch out ...
4

Creating Variations in the B Section

What's up Doc?

Ok, so this double stop slide lick is soooo Doc Watson. I think he would dig it, he may have even played it, or something like it for sure. Anyway, keep pressure on the slides so the notes sound o...
5

Rhythm Overview

Ok, Now You're the Band

A wise man once said, "Lead is important, but rhythm is importanter". Watch the video to get some examples rhythm playing, then turn down the band volume and play along with the lead. Turn on the ...
6

Where to Next

When the Sugarfoot Rag Just Ain't as Sweet as it Used to Be

If you had trouble with that crosspicking lick in the A section, you might wanna take a journey through one or both of the crosspicking lesson paths, and if Those chords in the rhythm overview went...