country_basics.pdf

FENDER PLAYERS CLUB COUNTRY BASICS

WHAT:

The earliest form of American country music can be traced to the storytelling of Celtic ballads and fiddle songs of the

early British immigrants. Since that time, country music has had an ongoing battle between its traditionalists and

modernizers. Traditional country music has very little percussion, borrowing its roots from jug and mountain music. The

modern country idiom incorporates rock, blues, and gospel music styles.

WHEN & WHERE:

In the early part of the 1930s, the Grand Ole Oprey broadcast performances from Nashville, Tennessee which became—

and remains today—the center of country music. By the 1940s and 1950s, despite strict standards by the traditionalists,

improvisational elements were incorporated into the style and country music became known as “country and western.” In

the 1960s, the popularity of the honky tonk style broadened country music’s listening audience. However, despite the

clear rock influence in the country styles which emerged in the 1970s, country music never lost its characteristic twang,

steel guitars, and simple storylines. In the 1980s, a new group of traditionalists emerged. In the 1990s, country music

became bigger and more popular than ever.

WHO:

Hank Williams, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings,

Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, and Garth Brooks are all

prominent country artists. In addition, renowned country guitarists include Albert Lee, Steve Warner, Chet Atkins, and

Carl Perkins. Sitting on the fringes of the country music category are such artists as Steve Earl, Lyle Lovett, Lucinda

Williams, Jimmie Dale, and Townes Van Zandt.

HOW:

The country sound can be partially traced to the major pentatonic scale. Other important factors include basic major-key

I–IV–V chord changes in simple and fairly predictable patterns. But the single most dominant factor is the country vocal

style, with its characteristic sour twang, strong melody, and common storylines of love and loss.

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FENDER PLAYERS CLUB COUNTRY BASICS

THE MAJOR PENTATONIC SCALE

The major pentatonic scale is a five-tone major scale consisting of a root, major second, major third, fifth, and major

sixth. In the key of G major, the notes are G–A–B–D–E. In the key of C major, the notes are C–D–E–G–A.

FIG. 1

COUNTRY RHYTHM, RIFF AND INSTRUMENTAL MELODY

FIG. 2 begins with C7, G, F, and D7 chord variations. In the riff section, G, C, and D major pentatonic scales are played

over their respective chords. Then G, C, and D major pentatonic solo variations follow in the higher octaves.

FIG. 2

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FENDER PLAYERS CLUB COUNTRY BASICS

AUDIO-CountryRiff.mp3

ESSENTIAL LISTENING AND STUDY

Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler: Neck and Neck (1990, Sony/Columbia)

Chet Atkins: Guitar Country (1964 LP, RCA), It’s a Guitar World (1967 LP, RCA)

Garth Brooks: Ropin’ the Wind (1991, EMD/Capitol)

Willie Nelson: Always on My Mind (1982, Sony/Columbia)

Hank Williams: 40 Greatest Hits (1978, Uni/Mercury Nashville)

The Country Guitar Method (Hal Leonard, book)

Pedal Steel Licks for Guitar (Hal Leonard, book/CD)

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FENDER PLAYERS CLUB COUNTRY BASICS

This lesson is from:

The Dictionary of Guitar Styles: 25 Essential Lessons for the Complete Guitarist

by John Tapella.

Take a crash course in 25 guitar styles. Learn the who, what, where, when and HOW

of: alternative/grunge, blues, Celtic, classical, country, flamenco, folk, funk, fusion,

jazz, ragtime, reggae, rockabilly, surf, thrash and much more.

The CD includes 48 full-demo examples.

Inventory # HL 695162. Book/CD pack $16.95 (US).

Other books mentioned in this lesson:

Pedal Steel Licks for Guita r

by Forest Rodgers.

Take a lesson with super picker Forest Rodgers! In this video that supplements

Forest's book, Pedal Steel Licks for Guitar , you'll learn how to play 30 classic

beginnings, endings, turn-arounds, and fill-ins to popular pedal steel licks on the

guitar. Forest plays them at regular tempo and then at a slower tempo for easier

learning. Watch the fascinating interaction as pedal steel master Doug Stock plays the

licks then Forest copies them on guitar.

Features tips for the best steel guitar sound reproduction and steel guitar voiced

chords. You'll make the band pay attention when you learn these 30 pedal steel licks!

60 minutes.

Inventory # HL 183. Book/CD pack $16.95 (US).

VIDEO: Inventory # HL 233. $19.95 (US).

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