Texas Style Guitar Backup: Royce Franklin

Friday, September 18, 2015

Free Texas Style Guitar Chord Diagram

Royce Franklin is a legendary Texas style guitar player. Having learned at the knee of Omega Burden and his Dad, renowned fiddler, Major Franklin , Royce has spent a lifetime absorbing and creating what is referred to today as Texas style guitar backup. The video below, captured by Nonnie Orosco at a fiddle contest in Conroe, TX back in 2006 is wonderful footage of the master at work. On fiddle is Carl Hopkins, a legend in his own right. This video is of the accompanist division, in which, the guitar accompaniment, rather than the fiddling, is judged. Note the groove and the pocket shared by the fiddle and the guitar. The full sound Royce pulls from the instrument is inimitable. The chord choice is simple, yet involved. Listen to the tension and the groove. I cannot emphasize the groove enough. Go ahead, listen...

I have taken the time to transcribe this moment, chord for chord. You may download it here for free. Keep in mind, the chord diagram does not speak to the groove. You will need to listen to find out what that is about. Listen, listen, listen, then try and repeat what you are hearing. It does not hurt to attend a workshop or take a lesson from someone to help with these ideas. Now, go and listen some more and enjoy the free download!

More from Texas Style Guitar Backup Blog:
Ray Franklin plays Say Old Man
A Texas Fiddle Anthem
Another Free Chord Diagram

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Ray Franklin - Texas Guitar Hero

Ray Franklin is a legend among Texas backup players. Having learned at the knee of Omega Burden, Ray and his brother Royce had tremendous shoulders from which to launch their own ideas from the very beginning. Not to mention, their father, legendary Texas fiddler, Major Franklin kept them busy backing him on back porches and living rooms throughout Texas and the surrounding area. For a great sample of their guitar work, I recommend purchasing Texas Fiddle Album which features their nephew, Larry Franklin playing a selection of 10 tunes with Royce and Ray on guitar and Steve Williams on bass. What a rhythm section!

Watch this video of Ray playing backup to the popular tune, Lady Be Good. This is a simple swing tune that is popular in the area. If you are interested, I have provided a full transcription of the backup part below. But first, the video: