Country Music: Drumming Western Swing

Western Swing was developed in Texas and Oklahoma in the 1930’s and became popular in the 1940’s. As obvious in the name, this genre is a blend of Dixieland Jazz, and Blues. Tempos are usually medium-swing. Western Swing was a popular dance style. This genre Introduced the Hawaiian steel guitar and the drums to Country Music. The genre's popularity declined after the war, as Rock N’ Roll increased in popularity. Like Dixieland Jazz, be sure to keep the grooves relatively simple, and emphasize beats 2 and 4 in common time.

Listening List:

Bob Wills - referred to as the "King of Western Swing"

1) Play with sticks or brooms

2) Play with brushes or brooms, feather the bass drum

3) Feather the bass drum, play with brushes or brooms