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Topic: First jump into western swing |
Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 26 Jan 2017 2:34 pm |
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I jammed for the first time with some local players who do Western Swing. The chords structures were fairly sophisticated, at least to me-16251, for example, is a lot for a beginner like me to handle on the fly.
It was tough keeping up. I don’t have a lot of licks to fall back on, and the PSG licks I usually use didn’t fit the style of music. I tried to use some of the chord shapes Herb Steiner teaches in his Swingin on the E9 course. The ones I could remember and play on time sounded ok. I liken it to a person learning to speak a new language half lost in a conversation between native speakers.
You can’t beat yourself up- it’s part of the process of becoming fluent.
I came out feeling pretty enthusiastic about it. Set my BIAB to run 16251 in a loop. This will be a part of my daily practice routine.
My goal is to avoid jumping from position to position and rather learn to play melodically over the home position, suggesting the related chords. This is a big message I took away from Jeff Newman’s Just Play the Melody course.
A high goal, but one worth the time and effort it will take to approach it, if not achieve it. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 26 Jan 2017 2:47 pm
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Wow! I'd love a chance to do some of that - keep it up and good luck 
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 27 Jan 2017 5:10 am
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I am in a new Western swing band here in the Rhode Island area. We have just nailed a once-a-month gig at a local club. Great stuff, especially if you like actual chord progressions.
I am working a lot with the E to D# lever engaged; also playing out of a "major 7th-major 9th" position ... this means, for example, 2 frets above the open G at fret 3, with A pedal engaged, and B pedal raising the 6th up to major 7th. Your tonic note--G--will then be on String 9.
Allan, also try running chord substitutions for your basic 16251 progression:
1 #1dim 2m 5 for one. You can stay in the same position here too.
To get into the mood, I am listening to a lot of Hank Thompson!
Chris |
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manny escobar
From:
portsmouth,r.i. usa
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Posted 27 Jan 2017 6:44 am
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| Hi Chris, 1 1#dim 2m 5 1 Thanks for the free lesson. I just tried it with "My Window Faces the South". Hoping to go see you with Roger Trahan in the near future. |
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Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 27 Jan 2017 11:11 am
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That's very helpful. I play some swing on mandolin, so I have a basic understanding of subs and passing chords. Definitely want to be play those great passing chords on PSG.
For diminished chords, do you raise the F lever? Is there another way? |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 28 Jan 2017 8:32 am
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Hi Manny! But you don't need any lessons from me! (BTW, I am at Parlour Friday Feb 3, from 6 to 9, with Western Stars. Come on down.)
Allan, yes, raising the E to F lever is easiest. And don't forget that these diminished chords repeat themselves every 3 frets--because they are built on minor 3rds.
Chris |
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