How to Play Western Swing Guitar

Western swing music is a style of country music that originated in the 1920s and features an uptempo rhythm, often with a quick waltz feel. The music is a popular dance music that attracts country and western dances in clubs nationwide. Mastering this uptempo swing style music can be challenging, but once you get a feel for the basics of its rhythmic structure, you can begin playing the style almost immediately.

Instructions

1. Learn a few basic chords. Western swing often uses sixth and ninth chords, but learning the rhythm structure of the style is easier with basic chords, such as G, C, D and A chords. You can make these chords in several positions on the guitar and later alter them by a note or two for more advanced chords. Use barre chord forms, which work best with the western swing percussive technique.

2. Practice what western swing guitar players call the "oom pah" rhythm. This is a standard western swing rhythmic pattern used frequently. The pattern involves playing two down strokes on any chord, one after the other. In the beginning, saying the words "oom" and "pah" are helpful for remembering the feel of the pattern, which is where the style derived its name.

3. Release the tension of your fretting hand (the fingers holding the note chords) on the "pah" or second down stroke, so the strings are muted. This creates a percussive sound popular in western swing guitar playing.

4. Play with a quick waltz feel. A lot of western swing music is in 3/4 time, which means three beats per bar of music, as opposed to the common 4/4. The rhythm--two down strokes and a percussive beat--constitute this 3/4 rhythm. Playing it uptempo gives you a tight western swing feel.

5. Add a walking bass line between your chord changes. As you change from one chord to another, play the lowest note of the previous chord you played. Alternate between playing it for a full quarter note count (one count) or two eighth notes (two notes in the same time as you play the quarter note). This creates a walking bass pattern that adds variety to your rhythm. Do this slowly at first, and then work up to the swing tempo when you are comfortable with changing chords and adding the low notes.

Tips & Warnings

• Until you begin memorizing chords all over the guitar, it's helpful to keep a chord dictionary handy. Find them online at no charge.

References

• Online Electric Guitar Lessons: Western Swing Guitar Lessons