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Rockabilly Guitar

Twang and Blues?

 

The rockabilly guitar creates a very unique sound that somewhat defines the entire genre of the music.  While the upright bass maintains the strong elemental beat typically associated with the sound, it is left up to the rockabilly guitar to provide the melody that supports the outrageous vocals (often punctuated by gulps, yelps, and stutters characteristic of rockabilly music).

What elements make up the sound of the rockabilly guitar?  First, we should know what rockabilly music really is.  The trend of rockabilly began by blending the 1950’s rhythm and blues music of Motown’s ancestors with the twang of early country music, then adding new elements of what would eventually become pop-rock, rock and roll, and punk in the future.
  

The classic rockabilly guitar  Rockabilly guitar can be played by chicks, too

 

The rockabilly guitar was extremely important in conveying this blend to the listener.  The lead guitar would provide a melody that had a sultry sound like blues as well as a peppy beat like the swinging country sound of the day.  A rhythm guitar supported the melody with swinging country-style beats and bluesy riffs, as well as a strong background to accompany the slap bass.

The rockabilly guitar is one of the most important elements in any rockabilly tune.  Frequently, a rockabilly guitar will have a solo riff within the tune that features this special blend and showcases the ability of the rockabilly guitar player.  Besides the vocalist, there is very little about rockabilly music that is more identifiable than the sound of the guitar.

Without the rockabilly guitar, the music style would be simply rock, or perhaps country.  What it would not be is a phenomenon that swept the country in the mid-1950’s and created a sub-culture that has influenced so many artists from so many different musical backgrounds today.  Elements of rockabilly guitar can be heard in modern country, rock and roll, and even in punk music.

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