Eldon Shamblin, Western Swing (Guitar Lesson)

Chapter 1: (07:19) Twin Guitar Boogie Lesson 8 continues to showcase Eldon Shamblin's guitar style. In this lesson, DJ covers the rhythm guitar parts to the classic Bob Wills song "Twin Guitar Boogie."

Rhythm Guitar

Immediately after the introduction section that you learned in the previous lesson, Eldon Shamblin switches over to a rhythm guitar role. The main section of "Twin Guitar Boogie" features a 12 bar blues progression in the key of Bb major.

If you are unfamiliar with the 12 bar blues form, visit some of the Phase 2 blues series for some additional information. Electric blues is taught by DJ as well as Seattle native bluesman Eric Madis. Michael "Hawkeye" Herman teaches JamPlay's acoustic blues lessons.

Note: The following information about the 12 bar blues progression is taken from lesson of Hawkeye Herman's Phase 2 Blues Series.

Chord Changes

The most basic form of the 12 bar blues progression consists of the I, IV, and V chords. These chords can also be labeled by the way in which they function. Respectively, the I, IV, and V chords are referred to as the tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords. In a major or minor key, each chord carries out a specific function. Tonic is often compared to home base. This chord is very stable. The subdominant chord or IV chord tends to lead back to tonic or to the dominant chord. The dominant chord wants to resolve back to tonic or home.

"Twin Guitar Boogie" is played in the key of Bb major. The tonic or home chord in this key is Bb major. To find the subdominant chord, count up four notes in the Bb major scale. The subdominant chord is Eb major. The dominant chord is five notes up from Bb. Thus, the dominant chord in the key of Bb is F major.

Note: Often, dominant seventh chords are substituted for major chords in the 12 bar blues progression.

Applying Chords to the Form

The chord changes for the complete 12 bar form in the key of Bb are as follows:

Bars 1-4: Tonic (I) Bb
Bars 5-6: Subdominant (IV) Eb
Bars 7-8: Tonic (I) Bb
Bar 9: Dominant (V) F
Bar 10: Subdominant (IV) Eb*
Bars 11-12: Tonic (I)** Bb

*The V chord is often played for both measures 9 and 10.

**The V chord can be substituted for tonic in the final measure of the progression. This creates a much stronger resolution back to the tonic chord that occurs in the first measure of the form.

Rhythm

The chordal accompaniment to "Twin Guitar Boogie" is played with the Western Swing rhythm. Review this rhythm now if necessary. The basic Western Swing rhythm is combined with a bass line to add extra interest. The bass line utilizes notes from the Bb major pentatonic scale. This scale is commonly used to create boogie woogie, blues, and swing bass lines.

Watch and listen as DJ breaks down the bass line for the first several measures at 02:25.

Note: Tablature and standard notation to the Bb major pentatonic scale in fifth position can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Chord Voicings

Note: Fretboard diagrams with proper left hand fingerings to all chords discussed in the lesson video can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

-For the tonic chord, Bb, Shamblin uses a voicing based on the four string, first position F chord. In measure 4, Sheldin uses a Bb7 chord to create a stronger resolution to the IV chord. This Bb7 chord is played in third inversion. A chord is played in third inversion when the seventh is played as the lowest note.

-When playing the IV chord, Eb, Shamblin uses a common dominant ninth voicing. This voicing will definitely take some practice if you are new to it. Chapter 2: (06:22) Improvising Measures 9-12

Eldon Shamblin improvises the accompaniment to "Twin Guitar Boogie." Consequently, the first repetition through the blues form should be played slightly different from subsequent repetitions.

The first time through the form, Shamblin plays inverted versions of the V and IV chords in bar 9. These chords are played in first inversion, meaning that the third is played as the lowest note.

In bar 10, the dominant voicing used for Eb9 in measure 5 is now used to play an F9 chord.

Practice measures 9-10 on your own. Then, return to the lesson video and play them along with DJ at 01:52.

Measures 11 and 12 feature material similar to measures 1 and 2. A Bb major chord is combined with a bass line derived from the Bb major pentatonic scale.

Practice Time

Pause the lesson video and work through the entire 12 bar form on your own with a metronome. Remember to set the metronome so that it clicks on beats 2 and 4. Then, return to the lesson video and play along with DJ when you feel ready. A play along example is provided at 02:49.

Additional Options

As mentioned earlier, the rhythm part to "Twin Guitar Boogie" is improvised. In subsequent repetitions of the form, Eldon Shamblin plays some slightly different material. DJ covers some of the additional rhythmic options that can be used in the form. For example, Shamblin chooses to play a slightly more active bass line over the tonic chord. DJ demonstrates this bass line at 03:55. A transcription to the rhythm part played during the second chorus of "Twin Guitar Boogie" can also be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Over the IV chord in measure 5, a simple alternating bass line or tic tac rhythm is used.

In measures 9 and 10, Shamblin plays an F9 voicing in conjunction with notes from the Bb major scale. DJ provides a demonstration of these measures at 04:42.

Full Demonstration

At 05:29, DJ plays through the first two choruses as recorded by Eldon Shamblin. Feel free to listen or play along.

Preview of Next Lesson

DJ continues his discussion of Eldon Shamblin and "Twin Guitar Boogie" in the following lesson. He provides step by step instruction on the twin lead section of this song.

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