Continuing along with the 'things we like' category, here's the best $35 you can spend if you or someone you know is trying to learn to play swing guitar. 'Chordination' by Whit Smith of the Hot Club of Cowtown is a new DVD which breaks down the harmonic side of playing over older style swing/fiddle tunes.
Now before I go on, I should mention that this DVD is probably not for beginners -- you'll need to have spent a bit of time thinking about and learning some basic moveable chord shapes and have played enough of these styles of music to see some of the basic re-occurring song forms. A good teacher can help you jump these hurdles.
So, on to the DVD. There's so much here to learn! Every time you watch, you'll pick up something new, some new way of thinking about chords and chord movement within a basic song structure. There's no TAB or chord charts -- you just watch and learn (this is a good thing). If you've ever watched a great guitar player play a tune you know well, and they're playing all these great-sounding moving chords to your one D7 that lasts for 4 bars and want to learn what they're doing, then this is your Rosetta Stone.
Whit's explanation of what he's doing is very clear, very logical and he also comes across as the humble, really funny guy that he is. This DVD is just honest, plain good work. It's available on via the Hot Club of Cowtown website (www.hotclubofcowtown), and needless to say Xmas is coming! (For those of you wondering what to get me since I already own a copy, an 40's Epiphone Triumph would be great (a blond one) -- thanks!)
Alright, I better get to practicing. Got a big gig tonight!
PK
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