Western Swing Rhythm printable pdf download

Western Swing Rhythm

This unique rhythm style was developed by Eldon Shamblin in the 1940s when he was a member of Bob

Wills’ Texas Playboys. The style features jazz style rhythm chords and a moving bass line. The Wills band

recorded many fiddle tune based songs that had very simple chord changes. Songs like Stay All Night, Ida Red

and Take Me Back to Tulsa use only three chords when played by most country guitarists. Shamblin used his

extensive chord knowledge to dress up these progressions. The basic progression of the exercise is:

G C G D

1 4 1 5

G C D G

1 4 5 1

In measure one, the dominant G7 chord “sets up” the C chord in measure two. The second chord in measure

two is named E

6. This is a name of convenience that a guitarist can find quickly. The actual function of the

chord is like a C minor chord with the third (E

) in the bass. In this situation, it connects the surrounding

chords and continues the bass line.

In measure three, the C

diminished serves as a connector between the G and D7 chords. In measure five, the

G9 acts just like the G7 in measure one. The C

diminished chord in measure six connects the C and D7

chords. These concepts can be used to dress up simple progressions.

Ida

Track 7

Western Swing Rhythm