Western Swing Genre Study

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Austin Filingo

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Western Swing is one of the most unique and timeless genres of American music. In this fun and engaging course, veteran guitarist Austin Filingo breaks down the history, techniques and musical conventions that make this style of guitar playing so special. In this course, you'll learn everything you need to know to get into playing Western Swing. Austin covers rhythms, chord voicings, harmonizing melodies, and soloing concepts, and applies these ideas to two full-length original songs. If you've ever wanted to dive deep into Western Swing guitar, look no further - this is the course for you.

20 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

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Full Course Breakdown

In 'Western Swing Genre Study', veteran guitarist Austin Filingo breaks down both the history and the playing techniques of Western Swing guitar. The course begins with basics like chord voicings, common rhythm techniques, and a look at the history of the genre. From there, Austin will break down all the elements of two amazing original Western Swing songs. You'll learn the rhythm parts and chord shapes, followed by melodies and harmonies. Finally, Austin will teach two full-length solos that feature dozens of great Western Swing licks that can be applied to many different songs.

Begin the Course
1

Series Introduction

Welcome to Austin Filingo's Western Swing Genre Study! In this introduction, we go over the topics the course will cover, some prerequisite knowledge, and expectations for the lessons ahead.

2:20 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

The History of Western Swing

Austin kicks things off with an overview of the history and key players that made Western Swing what it is today.

4:54 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

3

Western Swing Rhythm

We get into playing some Western Swing by looking at some common approaches to rhythm guitar parts.

11:15 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Common Western Swing Chords

Now that we've got our rhythms worked out, we look at common chord shapes and chord voicings for both major and minor.

7:31 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Chords and Form for Our First Song

Let's break down the chords and arrangement for our first Western Swing song.

15:00 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

Chords and Form for Our Second Song

Now that we know the first tune, let's look at the chords and form for our second song.

11:56 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Using Passing Chords with Song 1

We explore the chord progression of the first song in more detail by learning a variety of useful passing chords to navigate the changes.

20:28 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

8

Using Passing Chords with Song 2

Let's apply what we learned about passing chords over the first tune to the second one.

16:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

Rotation Devices and Embellishments

We explore more techniques for making our rhythm playing as dynamic and musical as possible.

17:48 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

10

Double Stops

Double stops are an integral part of the Western Swing sound. Here, Austin will break down the mechanics and application of this important skill.

12:12 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

11

Soloing with Triads

Triads can be used to navigate the fretboard more fluidly by connecting triadic runs. In this lesson, we'll discuss how we can incorporate these shapes into our soloing.

19:21 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

12

Tiny Moore Style Lick

Let's move on to some licks inspired by the greats! We'll start off with this Tiny Moore-influenced lick.

17:23 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

13

Junior Bernard Style Lick

Our next lick is inspired by one of the originators of the "fuzz" tone, Junior Bernard.

16:11 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

14

Jimmy Wyble Style Lick

Let's keep the pedal down with this lick from the genre-defying Jimmy Wyble!

17:00 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
15

Lick in the Style of Eldon Shamblin

Now let's close out our "licks inspired by the greats" section with this cool series of licks in the style of Western Swing great Eldon Shamblin.

16:14 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

16

Melody and Harmony for Song One

We learn a fully composed melody and harmony part for our first Western Swing track.

16:12 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

17

Melody and Harmony for Song Two

Moving on, we learn a full melody and harmony for our second Western Swing song.

11:20 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

18

Solo for Song One

Using concepts from throughout the course, we learn a composed solo that works over all the changes of our first Western Swing song.

20:00 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

19

Solo for Song Two

We apply the same concepts to learn a fully composed solo over the second Western Swing track.

15:49 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

20

Western Swing Improvisation

Austin closes out the course with some pointers, tips, and exercises to improve your improvisational vocabulary in a Western Swing context.

11:40 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

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Austin Filingo

10
  • Playing since 1995
  • 143 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course


Reviews & Feedback 100/100 with 10 ratings
NatRob

I like tge teacher but a bit hard and too fast for a beginner. But its exactly what I'm looking for!

Blueshunter1217

Just joined a country band with a playlist of slower older styles. This fits in perfect for a Bluesmen like myself fiddling around with a new genre, (to me), like learning a new language. Looking forward to jazzing up their playlist! Robin