Electric Country, Western Swing Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (01:35) Introduction Review

Welcome back to the Phase 2 Country Series with DJ Phillips! The past six lessons provided a brief overview of several country styles. Thus far, DJ has discussed the origins of country music, some colorful chord voicings, the Western Swing rhythm, the tic tac rhythm, hybrid picking techniques, and some modern country chicken pickin' licks. If necessary, review these concepts at this time.

Preview of Upcoming Lessons

With Lesson 7, DJ begins to explore some of the finer details of electric country guitar. He will explain important stylistic elements of country's most influential guitarists. An important song or guitar solo by each guitarist will be covered. In addition, DJ will explain how to apply key elements from these songs to your own country guitar playing. As DJ covers more guitarists and their styles, you will inevitably learn more about the history and origin of country music. Chapter 2: (09:35) Western Swing The electric guitar first appeared in country music within the Western Swing style. Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys were pioneers of this style. Eldon Shamblin, the guitarist for The Texas Playboys has made a lasting impression on the Western Swing style of guitar playing. Like many other Western Swing players, Shamblin's style features jazz and blues idioms played with a country twang.

Twin Guitar Boogie

Twin Guitar Boogie is a popular Western Swing instrumental. It features "twin" or doubled lines played by Shamblin and steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe.

A. Intro Section

Note: Tablature and standard notation to all musical examples presented in the lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Swing Feel

"Twin Guitar Boogie" is played with a swing feel. The swing feel is characterized by an emphasis of the backbeat (beats 2 and 4). Accenting these two beats contributes to the overall swing feel. In addition, pairs of eighth notes are played with a long - short shuffle pattern. The first eighth note in each pair is played roughly as a quarter note triplet. The second eighth note receives the value of an eighth note triplet.

Phrase 1

Typically, "Twin Guitar Boogie" is played in the key of Bb major. The beginning lick consists of an arpeggiation of a tonic Bb chord. The lick is played out of an abbreviated version of the sixth position Bb barre chord.

Next, the IV chord, Eb, is outlined. An arpeggiation of a sixth position Eb chord begins at the end of measure 1 into measure 2.

Practice this phrase along with DJ at 02:03.

Phrase 2

The second phrase begins with the same Bb arpeggio played in the first phrase. However, the second phrase ends differently. It resolves to a C note played at the fifth fret instead of concluding with an Eb arpeggio.

Practice the first and second phrases along with DJ at 02:51.

Phrase 3

The third phrase begins in measure 5. This phrase is identical to the first phrase.

Practice the first three phrases with DJ at 04:13.

Phrase 4

An Eo7 seventh arpeggio begins the final intro phrase. This arpeggio begins in eighth position. A position shift occurs once the fifth string is reached. Switch to seventh position to accommodate the notes on this string.

Note: DJ refers to this chord as Bbo7 in the lesson video. Due to the symmetrical nature of diminished chords, Bbo7 and Ebo7 contain the same notes. The notes in these chords are simply stacked in a different order. Compare the spelling of these chords listed below.

Bbo7 - Bb, Db, Fb (E), G
Eo7 - E, G, Bb, Db

The final measure concludes with a quick V - I chord movement. An F13 voicing and a sixth position Bb triad are used for these chords. Watch carefully as DJ breaks down the proper left hand fingering for these chords.

Practice Time

Practice the entire intro section by yourself along with a metronome. When playing in the Western Swing style, set the metronome so that it clicks on beats 2 and 4 only. This will force you to emphasize the backbeat.

Note: For more information on this topic, please refer to Matt Brown's Phase 2 Jazz Lessons.

When you can successfully play through the intro along with a metronome, return to the listen video and play it with DJ at 08:41.

Preview of Next Lesson

In the next lesson, DJ covers the rhythm guitar parts to "Twin Guitar Boogie." Stay tuned to JamPlay.com for more electric country guitar action!

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