34 replies to this topic

[Noodler]

Hi,

I really like this DVD:

YouTube - Redd Volkaert - Home in San Antone

I was wondering if anyone knows some standard chord progressions for this style? Been searching the web, but coming up dry.

I think it's called Western Swing style, but this sounds a lot cooler than the really old stuff I can find from the 1920's-1940's.

Help please?

And who else is cool like this?

[starsailor]

Hi Dave, Hope you're well, not too sure how much help I can be but I enjoy a bit of research, seems when Western swing is mentioned the name Bob Wills always pops up he's sort of the Godfather of Western Swing, you probably came across him he hails from the 30's and 40's so I'm not too sure that's what you're looking for but most later guys follow his lead, if you want some more Modern proponents of it you could check out Asleep at the Wheel and Commander Cody and some of their songs, the list of performers who are into it also includes Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard etc. Heres a Wiki on it.

Western swing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


all I've found chord wise so far are these.

Western Swing: Roping in the Rip-Roarin’ Riffs of Cowboy Jazz,

Guitar Player Music Sheet Image:The Top Ten Western Swing Chord Forms

Western Swing - Online Guitar Lesson Video

Seems to hinge on the walking bass line, seems to have crossed over and been absorbed into mainstream Country Music there are bands who play a form which is close to Django Reinhardt and then it tends to stroll all the way to Country Music, bluegrass etc, interesting Genre.

Don't know how much this helps Dave but hope it helps a little bit, cool video enjoyed that, he's some player:winkthumb:

Best Wishes

Chris

[hb]

Can't help you on the music, but thanks for the video! It brings back memories. Bob and Johnny Lee Wills used to play for our barn dances here on the ranch back in the late 50's. I can still hear those tunes in the back of my head. Truly, a sound of it's own. I'm still trying to learn Patsy Cline songs!
Hope you get some good leads on this.
hb:yeahhh:

[Noodler]

Yeah, the link above to Guitar Player is exactly what I was after. Something I can actually play. I'm interested in it to play not just listen to. Thanks, Chris, you're a better researcher than me, and I normally do OK too!

Yeah Bob Wills seems to be the originator, but it's probably not quite what I'm after. Bit moldy oldy, but I'm sure he'll grow on me and I'll eat those words! I like rockabilly, country and jazz (to play) and Redd fits that bill. Patsy Cline does too. hb, you know chordie.com, right?

You're a winner Chris.

Edit: did you have to join Jam Play?

[starsailor]

Noodler said:

Yeah, the link above to Guitar Player is exactly what I was after. Something I can actually play. I'm interested in it to play not just listen to. Thanks, Chris, you're a better researcher than me, and I normally do OK too!

Yeah Bob Wills seems to be the originator, but it's probably not quite what I'm after. Bit moldy oldy, but I'm sure he'll grow on me and I'll eat those words! I like rockabilly, country and jazz (to play) and Redd fits that bill. Patsy Cline does too. hb, you know chordie.com, right?

You're a winner Chris.

Edit: did you have to join Jam Play?

Enjoyed checking this out Dave, pleased I could help, I think part of the problem with this Genre is that the Bob Wills style took a back seat when Rock'n'Roll came in even though guys like Bill Haley were influenced by Wills, after it's golden era it seemed to get absorbed into Country and a lot of artists use bits of it but don't go full on with it, I think if you tap into your knowledge of Jazz chords I think you could create your own style which will be closer to what Redds doing,
I found these lessons on youtube mostly for Rhythm guitar in Western swing but I thought I'd post them as they're pretty good lessons.

YouTube - Western Swing Rhythm Guitar Part One with Leon Grizzard

One of the biggest surprises for me was how into western swing Willie Nelson is, his style in the 60s was full on Western swing, not too sure where this fits in but it's Merle Haggard and an excellent guitarist called Clint Strong thought you might like this. good Country song.

YouTube - Merl & Clint Strong - 01 - OldMan

Found this Gem, the Rolling Stones doing a tribute to Bob Wills:yes:

YouTube - The Rolling Stones - Bob Wills Is Still The King

I didn't sign up to Jam play, not too sure how much it is, know some of it's free but the video on that link is a sign up, I do sign up to some things but I have to decide on how much I'll use them, do quite like the look of Jam play though.

Hope you and the Family are well Dave good to get in touch again.

All The Best

Chris

[Noodler]

Ah, so that's who Clint Strong is! On Redd Volkaert's DVD there is a section where Redd gives lessons. Just little licks, not the chords or anything. He says he stole a couple of the licks from Clint Strong, but when I searched for Clint Strong before I came up empty handed. He's quite a good jazzer, isn't he? I thought he'd be some country player.

I listen and sing Working Man's Blues every day on the way to work and at work. It's a Merle Haggard song, but this is just what it sounds like:

YouTube - Workin' Man's Blues

I don't drink, but other than that I relate to that song.

Already found the first link last night. That gentleman is such a classic. Nice suit and tie, well spoken, perfect house, clean shaven. The quintessential gentleman. I find him rediculous in his perfection. (if that makes sense)

BY the way, my normal guitar teacher is away, so I'm getting lessons from this guy (playing the Explorer, his name is JB):

YouTube - MOJO WEBB BAND/JB LEWIS @ THE PINEY 12/03/2004

He lives and breathes the blues. I'm going to make the most of it while I've got him. He stays with me until I "get" the lick without just moving on like most teachers. He's awesome and so musical. It's the coolest thing. It feels like a real opportunity to learn to really play.

Family's great Chris. Really good. I'm Blessed. It's good to see you around too.

Wife got me to set up an actual music room away from the loungeroom, so I've got a new space for my toys and practice. You know, leave my pedals and amp set up so I use them more. Loving that. Playing guitar much more right now.

Take care,
Dave

[starsailor]

I found Clint Strong by accident but I'm glad I found him he's a pretty hot Jazz guitarist, Western Swing is definitely the bridge between Country and Jazz, that really works well, if I read the youtube right, Redd used to play with Merle Haggard too, most of the Western Swing came out of Austin Texas apparently some pretty talented guys came out of there they must live and breathe music.
Great take on working man blues loved that.

Yeah Leon took me by surprise, must be the best dressed man on youtube, looks like a Bank Manager with a secret pastime, I had a bath and a shave before I watched the lesson he made me feel out of place:)

You got lucky with JB he played up a storm there, can you stay on with him or is he just filling in for your Teacher, you could probably still do some jam sessions with him if he can't carry on the lessons, sounds like your having a great time Dave.

Good to hear the Family are all well, we're all ok over here too, good to hear you've got a music room, I've got one in a spare building we had, it's not very big but it's cosy and I can keep all my stuff in here, I spend a lot of time in here now, still got to practice more but I play every day, I was taking over the house a bit and couldn't get any peace when I was recording so having a seperate room was the best way to go, it is great to have.

Here's Junior Brown and Hank Thompson, love this:yes:

YouTube - Junior Brown & Hank Thompson - Gotta sell them chicken

All the Best

Chris

[Noodler]

Have to fire a youtube back to you. Listen to the words of this one. It's pretty funny. I listen to it often:

YouTube - Junior Brown - My Wife Thinks You're Dead

Yeah, Junior Brown is great!

I am in trouble Chris. I tried a Gretsch Brian Setzer model today and fell in love. It aint cheap, but my wife's given me the OK to go for it. It's the classic orange Gretsch with the F-holes and I'm so in love. I'm sad because I have to be away from her. The guitar that is, the wife's wonderful! I think I'm going to love that guitar forever, like my first guitar. I wonder if you should sleep on it in case it's just a crush? This is it, anyway:

Brian Setzer Guitars Mine will be second hand, but it's still wow. It's either that or a 2008 Les Paul std.

Edit: As for staying with JB, I'd like that. A LOT of teachers play something and just want you to copy. If you can't keep up they just move on. If they see you struggling they just try a different song or something. Or else, they'll show you how good they can play, which is fun and entertaining, so I'm not complaining, but this guy actually cares whether you are getting better. So he'll stop playing and just listen to you. Not many teachers like that. But my ordinary teacher is also one of my guitar heroes, so I might have 2 lessons a week.

[knight46]

Great thread ya'll, lots of good information and lessons on Western Swing. Thanks.

[starsailor]

Noodler said:

Have to fire a youtube back to you. Listen to the words of this one. It's pretty funny. I listen to it often:

YouTube - Junior Brown - My Wife Thinks You're Dead

Yeah, Junior Brown is great!

I am in trouble Chris. I tried a Gretsch Brian Setzer model today and fell in love. It aint cheap, but my wife's given me the OK to go for it. It's the classic orange Gretsch with the F-holes and I'm so in love. I'm sad because I have to be away from her. The guitar that is, the wife's wonderful! I think I'm going to love that guitar forever, like my first guitar. I wonder if you should sleep on it in case it's just a crush? This is it, anyway:

Brian Setzer Guitars Mine will be second hand, but it's still wow. It's either that or a 2008 Les Paul std.

Edit: As for staying with JB, I'd like that. A LOT of teachers play something and just want you to copy. If you can't keep up they just move on. If they see you struggling they just try a different song or something. Or else, they'll show you how good they can play, which is fun and entertaining, so I'm not complaining, but this guy actually cares whether you are getting better. So he'll stop playing and just listen to you. Not many teachers like that. But my ordinary teacher is also one of my guitar heroes, so I might have 2 lessons a week.

That was a great song Dave, loved that guitar Junior was playing neat idea, he's some player.

Can see why you fell in love, that guitar's a beauty, that's the kind of trouble I'd like to be in, the Les Paul would be cool but I love the look of that Gretsch and I've always been a fan of Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats, if my Wife gave me the green light that Guitar would be on my list, it just looks the business.
You've got lucky with your Teachers but if I remember you had a few bad experiences so it's good to see that you've found someone who doesn't mess you around, would be good to keep in with JB if you can but your Teacher sounds really good too you're spoilt for choice, I've finally found one that I'm hoping to start with, he's a guitarist who's played in a few bands and a lot of well known Artists over here, hadn't heard about him before but I think he's only moved down here recently, he's more into playing than theory so he'll probably suit me as my head does tend to spin a bit with theory, he's also got his own studio which he lets people use and it's well kitted out so I my be able to get some decent recording's done there too so it sounds pretty good and the kind of thing I've been looking for, enjoyed this thread Dave, learnt a lot too, post some Pics when you have the guitar you want which one do you think you'll go for?

All The Best

Chris

knight46 said:

Great thread ya'll, lots of good information and lessons on Western Swing. Thanks.

Hi Knight, I didn't know much about Western Swing before Dave started this thread, I didn't realize Willie Nelson was so hooked on it, he played a lot of it in the 60's before he went a bit more mainstream, mind you he sounds good whatever he does, I'd never seen Willie Nelson without his beard and long hair so this was a bit of a shock:yes:

YouTube - The Texas Troubadours -- Willie Nelson, Leon Rhodes

[hb]

I enjoyed the Jr. Brown link.....never heard of him, I guess. Seems like he's quite versatile......here's a look:
YouTube - junior brown & beach boys 409
hb

[starsailor]

That was brilliant hb thanks for the link really enjoyed that, found this one with Junior Brown, Redd Volkaert and Jimmy Vaughan, video's not brilliant but they're really going for it on Junior's guitar:smilinguitar:

YouTube - Jr Brown, Redd Voelkart and Jimmy Vaughan @ Antone's 7/26/06

Cheers

Chris

[hb]

Cool! ......I read a reply on one of those videos of his, and someone said that with his talent, and no more famous than he is, that he ought to shoot his manager!!!!
hb

[johnnydoxx]

Lots of good music in the links... Junior Brown sure has an unusual axe.

[Noodler]

I cannot believe that's Willie Nelson! What a cool link. That's one of the best youtube vids I've seen, and I watch youtube instead of TV, so that's saying something. He looks so young and clean cut, like a young Les Paul or Chet Atkins. And wasn't that guitar player having fun.

I bought this guitar. It's a LP copy, but it plays well and the hardware is all Wilkinson:



So eventually I'll upgrade the pickups and it'll be killer. I just can't justify $4G for a Les Paul.

They did a great deal for me, which left me enough to put a deposit on the Gretsch, but it's going to take time to pay off. I feel so guilty about buying such an expensive guitar. I usually buy cheapish guitars and mod them, but this Gretsch has got all the mods you'd do yourself. A Gretsch will last won't it?

[hb]

Noodler said:

I cannot believe that's Willie Nelson!

Yes, isn't it amazing how friendly the first 20 yrs. of our life can be so friendly and the second,(or 3rd) 20 yrs. can be so cruel ! ! ! ? ? ? ?
Albeit, Willie's life might have been a little rougher than most!
hb

[starsailor]

Noodler said:

I cannot believe that's Willie Nelson! What a cool link. That's one of the best youtube vids I've seen, and I watch youtube instead of TV, so that's saying something. He looks so young and clean cut, like a young Les Paul or Chet Atkins. And wasn't that guitar player having fun.

I bought this guitar. It's a LP copy, but it plays well and the hardware is all Wilkinson:



So eventually I'll upgrade the pickups and it'll be killer. I just can't justify $4G for a Les Paul.

They did a great deal for me, which left me enough to put a deposit on the Gretsch, but it's going to take time to pay off. I feel so guilty about buying such an expensive guitar. I usually buy cheapish guitars and mod them, but this Gretsch has got all the mods you'd do yourself. A Gretsch will last won't it?

Congrats. on the new guitar Dave, nice one, didn't think you were going to get both of them but it's cool, don't have to feel guilty you've been working hard learning so a new guitar is a good reward for all the practice you've put in, I'm pretty sure a Gretsch will last forever, that can be passed down the Family makes a cool heirloom:yes:

hb said:

Yes, isn't it amazing how friendly the first 20 yrs. of our life can be so friendly and the second,(or 3rd) 20 yrs. can be so cruel ! ! ! ? ? ? ?
Albeit, Willie's life might have been a little rougher than most!
hb

I was quite stunned by the Willie Nelson video, he made a pretty radical shift in his appearance must have taken up smoking after that was made
I was impressed with the Guitarist in the Video Leon Rhodes so here's another one of Leon in action, he's brilliant:smilinguitar:

YouTube - The Texas Troubadours - Leon Rhodes, Buddy Charleton - Honey Fingers

Cheers

Chris

[SlickCat]

Quote

BY the way, my normal guitar teacher is away, so I'm getting lessons from this guy (playing the Explorer, his name is JB):

YouTube - MOJO WEBB BAND/JB LEWIS @ THE PINEY 12/03/2004

Your teacher sounds great..........thats a Gibson Firebird he is playing. Killer Guitar!
Johnny Winter played one also.

[Noodler]

I took the Les Paul back. If you like Les Pauls, it was great, but it's not the guitar for me. It was much too fat-sounding and wasn't very clear without new pickups. They were really nice and let me swap it for some stuff I actually needed like a stool, guitar rack, guitar case. So I'm happy, I really needed that stuff so it was cool to buy it "guilt-free." Decided I definitely fall in the Fender/ Gretsch camp.

That link was awesome, Chris. Gonna go off and look at some of the "related" vids for more of the same. That's the gear!

Slickcat, yeah, he's very inspiring. He's got some cool guitars, too. A BSB Tele (the coolest guitar ever?), a Gibson 345 (that's one I like, they're like a stereo 335, but they're $7000), a Strat. Thing is he's actually got me practicing more than any other teacher simply by asking what I want to learn, being able to teach it, and being patient enought to let me get a grip on it before moving on to the next thing. Hope he'll keep me. Even 2 lessons a week is only 1 hour. If you do any kind of course, you have many more than one contact hour per week.

[Random Robot]

I know I'm a bit late to the party but Noodler, to practice getting that Western Swing type feel try looping a 6 chord and play Mixolydian over it. I'm not really sure what type of chord progression you'd want to use but just try something like C6 and bump that root note back and forth between the C and G, kinda like a Polka. That'll give you a real nice Western Swing exercise.