Country music made easy
Anyone interested in the theory and practice of instrumental Swiss folk music can now easily access a book online that explains how it is structured and how it is played.
The multi-instrumentalist Ueli Mooser, one of the most experienced and versatile country musicians in Switzerland, published a book in 1989 that explained the theoretical foundations of country music in detail and in a practical way. Now he has reissued this legendary publication The instrumental folk music of Switzerland extensively revised, supplemented and updated.
"Fundamentals and music-making practice of country music: forms, models, examples and suggestions" is the subtitle - and it does not promise too much. On the one hand, the work provides a comprehensive theoretical overview of country music. Form, structure, melody, rhythm and harmonization are presented clearly and in detail and illustrated with the help of numerous music and sound examples. Accompaniment, bass line, arrangement and repetition practice are also covered. The book therefore offers a wealth of material for playing practice as well as suggestions for your own compositions. There are even tips on putting together bands, rehearsals, live performances and the choice of piece titles. It also provides an overview of the historical development of country music and the many different regional playing practices.300 pages long, Mooser's book is not a didactically prepared quick guide. In terms of terminology, it is clearly from the 20th century and is not quite up to date musically either. However, this can be forgiven, especially in the case of this topic, as Mooser summarizes almost the entire 20th century of country music and thus provides a broad and deep basis for further development in the 21st century.
Anyone who works their way through the book will be rewarded with an extremely competent, exciting and enjoyable insight into Ländler music. If you don't want to make the effort, you can browse through the book and linger over sound samples or sheet music to get a first impression of instrumental Swiss folk music.
The Gesellschaft für die Volksmusik in der Schweiz has published the newly revised work in digital form in collaboration with the Haus der Volksmusik and is making it freely available on the Internet.
Ueli Mooser: Die instrumentale Volksmusik der Schweiz - Grundlagen und Musizierpraxis der Ländlermusik: Formen, Modelle, Beispiele und Anregungen, 2nd updated and revised online edition, 2017
