# Guitar/Country and Western

## Introduction

!The Appalachian Region of the
US{width="375"}
Country music is an American genre of music that can trace its roots
back to earlier European folk songs that the arriving immigrants brought
with them. It developed in the Appalachians and surrounding states;
changing the forms and sounds of the earlier folk songs until the music
reflected the conditions that these early American settlers experienced.
The music itself has never stopped absorbing elements from other genres
such as blues, ragtime, jazz, rock and contemporary folk. It is this
vitality that has kept country music at the heart of American culture.

### History

Country music, like most early folk music, was passed down orally from
generation to generation; with each adding to the existing tradition.
The guitar, being cheap and portable, was ideal for country musicians
and from the earliest days has been associated with the music.

It was the invention of the phonograph and radio that led to the
creation of the first national country stars The Carter Family. The
Carter Family also sung gospel, Victorian ballads and vaudeville songs.
The guitar solo in their song \"Wildwood Flower\" is an early example of
characteristics that are still to be found in country lead breaks.

Country guitarists also absorbed elements from the blues and slide
guitar started to be featured shortly after the success of the Carter
Family. Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933) was the first solo star of country
music and his guitar style is a mixture of country alternating bass and
the blues form.

Country music took on some on the elements of the big band era of the
1930s. The growth of bigger bands that included instruments such as
drums and saxophones led to the creation of Western Swing. Whereas the
music of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers had retained some of the
earlier folk ballad qualities; Western Swing was primarily for dancing.

### Guitars

Acoustic guitars have been a firm favourite for country musicians since
the 1920s. The open resonating sound of these guitars suit the country
and western chordal style. The Gibson L-5 was popular, the instrument
played by Maybelle Carter, as were Martin guitars. It must not be
overlooked that Gibsons and Martins are professional marque guitars and
that many players would have started on cheaper models by other
manufacturers.

The Dobro Resonator guitar was also used from the 1930s onwards. Its
unique timbre appealed to country guitarists and its volume allowed it
to be heard amongst the expanding line-up of instruments.

Other instruments that are commonly used in country music are the fiddle
and banjo.

## Exercise One

This exercise uses these chords:

`<font face="Courier New">`{=html} <File:G> major chord for guitar
(open).png\|**G** <File:C> major chord for guitar (open).png\|**C**
<File:D> major chord for guitar (open).png\|**D** `</font>`{=html}

This is an exercise for alternating the bass. It is recommended that
this exercise be played without a plectrum. Use the thumb of your right
hand to play the alternating bass notes. The right hand fingers must
also form a \"claw\" and be placed on the three treble strings to start
this exercise. The ring finger of the right hand always takes the
highest note. After playing the bass note with your thumb; slightly lift
your right hand fingers to sound the treble strings. Do not pluck or
pull away your right hand. A slight lift of your right hand index,
middle and ring finger is enough to sound the chord and then return your
hand back for the next lift. Practice this exercise slowly for accuracy
especially placing the claw correctly and ensuring that after the lift
the fingers are only millimeters away and ready to be placed again.
There should be no movement of the forearm or wrist; all the work is
done by the fingers. The left hand holds down the chords as shown above.
Most tab exercises will have chord diagrams that show the chords to be
used.

!Country style alternating bass in G
major{width="800"}\

## Essential Country Guitarists and Recordings

-   The Carter Family - a long career has led to many Carter Family
    recordings. The original Carter Family line-up recorded between 1927
    and 1941 for the Victor label. Many of the original Carter Family
    radio performances are in the public domain and can be found online
    for listening or download.

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-   Jimmie Rodgers - his first hit record was \"Blue Yodel (T for
    Texas)\". The first country solo artist to achieve national fame in
    the US.

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-   Hank Williams - the writer of \"Your Cheating Heart\" and \"Hey,
    Good Lookin\"

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-   Willie Nelson - the country performer and song-writer who wrote
    \"Crazy\" which was a world-wide hit for Patsy Cline.

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-   Chet Atkins - one of the architects of the Nashville sound. A
    guitarist and arranger of wide skills who has performed on the
    records of Elvis Presely and the Everley Brothers as well as issuing
    his own solo releases and duos with the guitarist Jerry Reed.

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-   Leon McAuliff - one of the great Western Swing steel guitarists.
    Played with Bob Wills\' Texas Playboys.

