Guitarists: Western Swing Style Instruction

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 30 Nov 2017 3:03 pm

For a band mate, I'm looking for some solid Western Swing style guitar instruction material. Youtube videos, etc.

The band I'm in does some Texas swing music, and since I'm not a guitarist, I thought I'd ask if any who primarily play (or double as) lead guitarist have any instructional material they'd recommend.

Paul Stauskas · Post by **Paul Stauskas** » 30 Nov 2017 6:05 pm

Jason Loughlin on Truefire

Scott Akers · Post by **Scott Akers** » 1 Dec 2017 7:54 am

Joe Carrâ€™s â€œWestern Swing Guitar Styleâ€ book has been helpful to me.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 1 Dec 2017 3:02 pm

Here's the Ranger Doug book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/rhythm ... aUEALw_wcB

Also - check out Eldon Shamblin the man who created Western Swing Guitar when he was on the Bob Wills band. Eldon also played hot single string solos - in fact when Charlie Christian was starting out he heard Eldon on the radio in Oklahoma. Eldonâ€™s life story and many live clips are on YouTube - weâ€™ll worth your time.
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Here's Eldon @ 1:44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srzu8qIr2pY

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 1 Dec 2017 3:40 pm

I know that Ray Benson has a video out on this; don't know how good it is, though...

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 1 Dec 2017 9:00 pm

A while back there was a post here by a guy who was doing some Eldon Shamblin style stuff. I believe he was playing a Gretch guitar. Sorry I can't be of more assistance. Maybe someone will remember or you can find him on YouTube.

Bob Bestor · Post by **Bob Bestor** » 2 Dec 2017 12:29 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yyK3wVNku4

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 3 Dec 2017 7:08 am

I don't know his name but the guy that used to play the archtop guitar with the Quebe Sisters had a really nice touch and I heard he was their teacher....JH in Va.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 3 Dec 2017 12:27 pm

Thanks for all the help here!

I think my band mate is primarily looking for help with lead guitar. Those Western Swing Rules videos look great, and I've passed those on.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 3 Dec 2017 9:28 pm

Jerry Hayes wrote:I don't know his name . . .

That'd be Joey Mckenzie.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 3 Dec 2017 9:31 pm

Jerry Hayes wrote:I don't know his name . . .

That'd be Joey Mckenzie.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Dec 2017 4:52 am

Can't go wrong with starting off with listening to Charlie Christian. It all starts with him.

For those interested, Clint Strong made an instructional video many moons ago. I would consider him to be just about the best Western Swing lead guitarist I've ever heard. Listen to Tom Morrell's Pterodactyl Ptales for evidence. Clint's stuff gets into jazz concepts and how to jazz up country tunes on this video. It's really good stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFU_9GFoi6o
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Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 4 Dec 2017 3:25 pm

I first heard Clint when he was with Merle Haggard. I am forever a fan.
Great video, Mike. Thanks for posting.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 6 Dec 2017 2:08 pm

Thanks for the tips; my band mate is finding some of this stuff useful.

Leon Grizzard · Post by **Leon Grizzard** » 8 Dec 2017 5:52 pm

Bill Cunningham wrote:A while back there was a post here by a guy who was doing some Eldon Shamblin style stuff. I believe he was playing a Gretch guitar. Sorry I can't be of more assistance. Maybe someone will remember or you can find him on YouTube.

That is me. My YouTube stuff is mostly rhythm, but I have a series on scales for country and weston swing, which might be helpful, and doublestop melodies. Hereâ€™s my channel:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ljgaustin

The Joe Carr Western Swing Lead Guitar Styles book is very good, as are all of Mr. Carrâ€™s materials.

What OPâ€™s band mate really needs to study is Charlie Christian. That is the right era and right style.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 8 Dec 2017 6:20 pm

Thanks, Leon, that looks great!

Tom Dillon · Post by **Tom Dillon** » 8 Dec 2017 7:28 pm

I agree, Charlie Christian is the starting point. Looks like a lot of his transcriptions are online if you look. The Benny Goodman Sextet recordings are full of great riffs and feature Christian prominently.

Then check out Eldon Shamblin and Junior Barnard with Bob Wills. Eldon made an instruction video several years ago. I assume it's long out of print.

I'd also recommend Whit Smith's 2 "Chordination" instruction DVDs. He's the guy in Hot Club of Cowtown:
http://whitsmithmusic.com/

Search You Tube for Joey McKenzie

Dana Duplan · Post by **Dana Duplan** » 18 Dec 2017 1:19 pm

Check out my friend Tommy Harkenrider. Some great courses and he will do custom lessons too.
http://tommyharkenriderguitar.com/

Ron Funk · Post by **Ron Funk** » 18 Dec 2017 5:34 pm

Sony Music put out a 4 CD package (and a booklet with lots of great info and photos) of "Charlie Christian - The Genius of the Electric Guitar"

(I was fortunate to find a copy at local library)

The Steel Guitar Forum

Guitarists: Western Swing Style Instruction

Guitarists: Western Swing Style Instruction

This looks like a good intro