Rockabilly instruction?

[IanS]

I got the Jim Weider 'Rockabilly Guitar' video out from my library. The first section, where he plays Scotty Moore stuff is exactly what I am hoping to understand and learn.

Unfortunately, as an 'instructional' tool, I found the video to be totally useless. It was way too fast, had no structured progression through the ideas, and I rarely understood what he was talking about.

Does anyone know of good Rockabilly instruction?


As an example of what type of instruction works for me - I find the John Ganapes book 'Blues You Can Use', is outstanding. He introduces concepts and techniques in an orderly manner, and offers a sequence of lessons which combine cords/scales along with song studies that have you actually making music at each step. For me to benefit from instruction, I need to understand the theory, then I need to be able to quickly turn on a backing drum machine and play something musical at each step of the way.

Thank a lot for any help.

[russ6100]

Doesn't Brian Setzer have an instructional video? I haven't seen it so I can really say if it would meet your requirements...

[dudeunitx5000]

Look for a book called Rockabilly Riffs For Guitar published by Amsco. It is most likely out of print but can be found on eBay sometimes.

[boobtoob]

I don't know if this will help or not, but I was into rockabilly a few years ago, and played with a bunch of pretty good players who had it down.

They taught me that rockabilly guitar was about playing the major scale with a flatted 3rd and flatted 7th thrown in ONCE IN AWHILE to get effect. It's kinda like a cowboy trying to play rock. I learned that using the CAGED system was the key, then knowing where the flatted 3rd and flatted 7th was in each of the 5 positions so at any time, you could "rock out" using these 2 off notes.

[cameron]

I don't know if this will help or not, but I was into rockabilly a few years ago, and played with a bunch of pretty good players who had it down.

They taught me that rockabilly guitar was about playing the major scale with a flatted 3rd and flatted 7th thrown in ONCE IN AWHILE to get effect. It's kinda like a cowboy trying to play rock. I learned that using the CAGED system was the key, then knowing where the flatted 3rd and flatted 7th was in each of the 5 positions so at any time, you could "rock out" using these 2 off notes.

Yes and yes. Also yes. But it's also about Travis picking at some pretty scary tempos. Which is why I can't do it properly. Dammit.

[Tim Bowen]

For me to benefit from instruction, I need to understand the theory, then I need to be able to quickly turn on a backing drum machine and play something musical at each step of the way.

Hey, I think you answered most of your own question there. Within this particular vernacular, in the theoretical sense, you need to know how to build all (or most) inversions of dominant 7th, sixth, ninth, 6/9, and thirteen chords. You need to understand when and where to place thirds or fifths in the bass, as well as how to use diminished and augmented chords as chromatic passing tones - it's voice leading, as based upon the melody - same as with tunes from any genre.

I'm sure that you get the root-five alternating bass thing. The cool thing about rockabilly is that it combines alternating bass with syncopated melodic figures on top. On the physical level, it's a bit like learning to play and sing at the same time, or in laymen's terms, like walking and chewing gum at the same time. A time-tested approach is to view these disciplines as the separate entities that they in fact are. Treat them separately, very slowly with a metronome, prior to combining them.

The biggest thing that most folks neglect to mention in their pursuit of musical awareness is that of sheer listening - which is in keeping with the instant gratification culture of tablature and our digital society at large. Sorry if that comes off as coy, but it's the truth. Danny Gatton got what he got because he listened to Merle Travis, Les Paul, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, and everybody else that he dug. Weider listened to Duane Eddy, Paul Burlison, Jeff Beck, and yes, absolutely, Scotty Moore. Point being that they listened and emulated. In this age of instant gratification and automatic information, it's my opinion that there is still no substitute for ruining one's records - that is to say, digging in hard for oneself. It's easy enough to get the math, but unless you go back and study from whence it came, it remains math, not music.

Folks rag on the Weider and Gatton vids all the time... they make perfect sense to me. Hey, if I can get it, ANYBODY can, as I'm no hyper-gifted guy. If they don't make sense, bone up on theory (as pertains to jazz, country, rock n' roll, and swing), and listen to great records, not just great instructional vids. As always, there's no magic bullet, only hard listening and application. Best of luck.

[opdev]

Setzers video makes you want to quite guitar (kidding). He is amazing.

I like the Paul Pigat DVD.

I agree about Weider. I knw thoery but I just don't think he is a very good teacher (great player)

http://www.netsoundsmusic.com/nsudsii/2/270933708/1118/2.html

[scottlr]

Also check out some country pickin DVDs, like Doug Seven's set. It's pretty much the same stuff, with a bit more rock in attitude. Setzer does chicken pickin all the time :)

[somecafone]

Yes and yes. Also yes. But it's also about Travis picking at some pretty scary tempos. Which is why I can't do it properly. Dammit.

Learn the "Mystery Train" lick.
The rhythm is simple: quarter, quarter, two-eighth notes, and then another quarter.
Played in E, it alternates between E and A, then moves through 1-4-5 changes.
It's played quite fast, but learn it slowly, then speed it up.
I did this and it goes a very long way towards getting you playing the Travis-school of rockabilly.
Add the flat 3/natural 3 hammeron, a couple of dom7ths and sixths, and pretty soon you're cruisin'.....

[CAFeathers]

MVP Guitar Method in the Style of Brian Setzer

[bluesbreaker59]

MVP Guitar Method in the Style of Brian Setzer

Yep