Breaking down the Robbins/Martin Cowboy sound?
 

I realize this could easily go in "general", but since the archtop group tends to be more into jazz and similar sounds, I want to post this here. As a big fan of Marty Robbins cowboy music, I have come to love his album Cowboy Ballads and Trail Songs. My understanding is that the lead "ranchero" style guitar was played by Grady Martin on archtop, while I "think" much of the rhythm was Robbins on a flat top (I could be wrong here).

I am also a fan of western swing music (Asleep at the Wheel, Bob Wills, etc.). I know there are a few videos on western swing, but not a ton. It seems like the comping and chord work in western swing isn't too far removed from jazz.

So, in relating to the sound I am looking for, is learning the basics of jazz helpful here? Or should I concentrate solely on WS music? Or should I scrap both and concentrate on Ranchero Mexican music?

Thoughts? As a young 51 year old, I don't want to spend years of intensive jazz study and am more interested in learning the basics to build on. I'm just not sure WHICH basics to build on!

I'd look into Ranger Doug, from "Riders In The Sky" and "The Timejumpers":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_B._Green

He has some instructional material available and is in general a great introductory resource to cowboy music (and how he differentiates it from Texas Swing).

-Douglas C.

Hi Bone Digger, I sympathise.

I own three archtops primarily to learn western swing style, and yes I was influenced by Ranger Doug and even have his DVD on playing style although I didn't find it very helpful. .... and thus far, I've failed.

However, I believe it is effectively comping.

With the chording following the running bass lines, using the I, III, and V (bass) notes up and down the fret board of the chords in the progression as a bass player might do but adding in in inversions from them.. . which, of course, means scampering up and down a fair bit.

Knowing where the inversions and substitutions are (kinda like "CAGED") helps a whole lot.

Here is the great Whit Smith working really hard to explain all this far meter than I can ('cos I'm still strugglng with it)

Really interesting take on very simple chords and comping. Comping, to me, is rhythm foremost, and he really takes that pulse to a great level. Interest with the walking bass lines, but the kicker was the simple chords, mostly just three notes. I never thought of doing that!

Thanks for the video link and explanation! So, how does that compare to comping in Jazz guitar? Admittedly, I'm a beginner with all of this.

On a side note, is "comping" basically the same as what bluegrass rhythm players call "vamping"?

That was a really “AHA!” Video for me. Fun to practice and play. Glad I was browsing in the archtop forum today.

I second this recommendation. He's very good as are the materials.

Comping is short for accompaniment. It is the jazz equivalent of rhythm guitar, but improvised both harmonically and rhythmically, rather than banging out chords in a consistent pattern.

Just a heads up for any western swing type jazz fans. A hidden gem of an album is 'Brisbane Bop' by Jimmy Rivers and the Cherokees. A virtual geyser of very cool western swing guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2SeC0P4Ymg

Wow! That was some really fast chord work.

I can't even hold a flat pick without carpet tape, but I have to say that he is a great teacher, and the producer did an ace job with the camera work.

However.......the two things I noticed above all: He needs a fret job desperately! It doesn't seem to be affecting his intonation, though.

More glaring, though, is that it's one of the rare instances where I've seen a band-sawn cutaway on a factory non-cutaway guitar.

That's an early 40's L-5, or was.

Regards,
Howard Emerson

If you want to hear more of Whit Smith’s playing, search YouTube for Hot Club of Cowtown. They are a great Western swing-ish band and put on a great show if you ever get the chance to see them.

And yeah, his chord changes can be blindingly fast.

Also check out Leon Grizzard's Western swing videos on YouTube. They are very good.

Great stuff above...though Marty's accompaniment is generally a bit more simple.

Here's a video I did a long time ago on the Ranchero style Grady licks.

This is awesome! Thanks for posting!