Do chords go in and out of favor with you?

[Gilliangirl 56]

Does anyone else find this phenomenon is part of their playtime? I usually have a few different chords that are *favorites* at any given time and even if I don't incorporate them into songs, I will make up little melodies around them. They're usually based on a pure love of their sound. For example, I can't get enough of this one at the moment, it's so unbelievably melancholy: 200230

Don't have a clue what it's called but it's basically a Dsus2 with an F# bass

My guitar is tuned down a half step atm and this sounds so sweet and sad at the same time.

 

And another favourite that I've even written a little song with: 799800

I must admit I stole that one from someone

[drathbun 91]

Very much so! Some of my fav's at the moment:

 

"open" barres"

577600

799800

 

and this all time fav:

 

332000

 

which is in a beautiful chord sequence in Pink Floyd's "Breathe".

[Jack6849 5]

Karen,

 

Your chord (200230) is a sort of D9 too, the 1st string E being the nine. That formation was used a lot in sixties folk music with its 7 counterpart D7/9 (200210) in songs in the key of C like Peter Paul and Mary's version of "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)" and Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant", and you're right; it is a very distinctive chord with a formation that lends itself nicely to finger-picking styles, especially when used as a transition (passing) chord with its F# bass note on the sixth string. I agree, it is a beautiful chord indeed.

 

Keep up the good work,

Jack6849

[frenchie 63 0]

Those open Barre chords are all over America`s Three roses track, from their classic 1970 self titled debut album.

 

 

steve.

[Matt the Cat 0]

I only know 4 chords, so they're kind of favourites by default! I do change the order from time to time though....

Matt

[Buc McMaster 191]

.....I will make up little melodies around them.

 

(Ah......so you do sing!)

 

My style of play tends to favor the key of E, which comes with an assortment of chords to be mangled, rather wrangled in various orders in support of a melody. I remember preferring minor keys early in my playing days but now it's the other way round. If I had to pick a favorite right now it'd be a plain ol' open C, including the bass G note.....wonderful sounding strum.

[MrGibs 0]

Great topic!

 

Let's start:

 

032000 / 002020 / 002200 / 00440x / 006600 / 009900 / 00121200

 

006700 / 008670 / 007570 / 00645x / 00423x / 00890x

 

06500x / 08700x / 0109000 /

 

05053x / 07075x /

 

404220 / 909700 /

 

53500x / 75700x

[Rambler 36]

Your chord (200230) is a sort of D9 too, the 1st string E being the nine. That formation was used a lot in sixties folk music

. Your hear it in blues as well. Blind Lemon (Matchbox) and Mance Lipscomb (Oh Captain) go to that in "A" blues. Interesting variation: 004210 with a drop D inn the bass. Mance used that in Going Down Slow.

 

Btw good way to compose, that, working w/sounds.

[albertjohn 24]

Does anyone else find this phenomenon is part of their playtime? I usually have a few different chords that are *favorites* at any given time and even if I don't incorporate them into songs, I will make up little melodies around them. They're usually based on a pure love of their sound. For example, I can't get enough of this one at the moment, it's so unbelievably melancholy: 200230

Don't have a clue what it's called but it's basically a Dsus2 with an F# bass

My guitar is tuned down a half step atm and this sounds so sweet and sad at the same time.

 

And another favourite that I've even written a little song with: 799800

I must admit I stole that one from someone

 

That D9 is my all time favourite too. Pete Townshend uses it sometimes e.g. chorus on I'm One.

[BigKahune 449]

For me, I wouldn't say chords go in and out of favor. Rather, when learning a new song or working up a new arrangement, I come across combinations that I really like - which sometimes leads me to other songs/arrangements with similar combinations. As others have pointed out, these chords usually feature a minimal alternate fingering, an "open" fingering, or a progression that features one or two drone strings.

[larryp58 24]

OK, ya'll! Listen, I learned to play guitar by ear 45 years ago. Those numbers ya'll are throwing out there don't mean squat to me! I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so would one of you guys explain to me how those numbers can be a chord?!!! I'm not to old to learn! (yes, I'm humbling myself to ask, 'cause I don't know! I'm really not as ignorant as I sound!!!)

[onewilyfool 81]

I only know 4 chords, so they're kind of favourites by default! I do change the order from time to time though....

Matt

 

Matt.....why 4 chords? Basically you only need 3 right???

[Rambler 36]

I only know 4 chords, so they're kind of favourites by default! Matt

 

Be bold, Matt. Go for five! (actually, get down the C A G E and D shapes and you have the goods to span neck. Move a shape up a fret & you are voicing it a new key)

[onewilyfool 81]

Gotta love those barred chords in the Gm7 format 353333 and that Bm7 335343 format. Move them up the neck and play them anywhere. My alltime favorite open chord is CM7 332000, followed by this G.... 320033

[AnneS 65]

larryp58:

 

I've been playing for 46 years (...and counting.) and I was right there with you, not a few months ago so I'm glad to jump in here.

 

Any chord can be described by six numbers. Each digit in the string corresponds to a string on the guitar: from left to right, it's your low E string down to the high E string.

 

If a digit is a "0," it's open; if a digit is (for example), a "2," it means you press that string on the second fret. (Note that this method does not tell you WHICH finger to use..that's easy enough to figure out.) If you see an "x" instead of a digit, don't play that string at all.

 

So, a D chord in standard tuning looks like this: 000232.

 

I've always hated chord charts (I'm not very visual, I guess), I don't read music, and names like "Dsus2" never helped much.

 

Hope this helps??

[onewilyfool 81]

I also learned to play by ear, but my lobe are really getting sore strumming those strings......I think next time I will try my fingers.....

[Gibsonian 1]

Try ending any tune in the key of C with this X32032 (C triad add 9 add 11+)

[BigKahune 449]

... Those numbers ya'll are throwing out there don't mean squat to me! ... so would one of you guys explain to me how those numbers can be a chord?!!! ...

 

A brave confession. Reminds me of when Krasi finally confessed to cracking the headstock on MrGibs.

 

Anyway, AnneS got it for ya.

 

Kinda similar to tab notation.

 

 

GG -

 

Interesting thread. B)

[larryp58 24]

Thanks, AnnS and BigKahune! Wow, that's so simple. Now I really do feel like an idiot!!! I guess learning guitar these days is a lot simpler than when I started! Back then, you either had talent and played, or you just listened and wished!!! ****WARNING (this theory is no longer reckonized in the music industry)

[TP 0]

Larry...

 

You have just been introduced into the wonderful world of Tab.....

 

Don't stop with these chords, now go for the fingerstyle stuff. Once you get what tab is and how it works, using your ear with the music and tab, you will have a world of great music and riffs opened up to you now.

 

Enjoy your chords everyone!

 

As others have said, great thread GG!! I have been having fun playing little chord melodies all morning with my computer by my side and new chords being thrown at me! Fun stuff!!!

[Gilliangirl 56]

Karen,

 

Your chord (200230) is a sort of D9 too, the 1st string E being the nine. That formation was used a lot in sixties folk music with its 7 counterpart D7/9 (200210) in songs in the key of C like Peter Paul and Mary's version of "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)" and Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant", and you're right; it is a very distinctive chord with a formation that lends itself nicely to finger-picking styles, especially when used as a transition (passing) chord with its F# bass note on the sixth string. I agree, it is a beautiful chord indeed.

 

Keep up the good work,

Jack6849

Well, what do you know? I've been on a Peter, Paul & Mary kick for a few months now so isn't that interesting! I really should learn some theory one of these days. This month's Acoustic Guitar magazine has an article on 9th chords. I think I'll pick it up

[Gilliangirl 56]

Those open Barre chords are all over America`s Three roses track, from their classic 1970 self titled debut album.

 

steve.

Isn't that the best album? Three Roses and Riverside are probably in my top ten favourite songs EVER, and certainly my top songs of America. The ex-boyfriend can play Three Roses really well but he won't teach it to me (he has control issues )

[Gilliangirl 56]

(Ah......so you do sing!)

 

My style of play tends to favor the key of E, which comes with an assortment of chords to be mangled, rather wrangled in various orders in support of a melody. I remember preferring minor keys early in my playing days but now it's the other way round. If I had to pick a favorite right now it'd be a plain ol' open C, including the bass G note.....wonderful sounding strum.

Buc, I love that C with a G bass, so full and rich-sounding. I'm using it right now to play City of Dreams by Victoria Banks. It sounds incredible on Magic!

[Gilliangirl 56]

Great topic!

 

Let's start:

 

032000 / 002020 / 002200 / 00440x / 006600 / 009900 / 00121200

 

006700 / 008670 / 007570 / 00645x / 00423x / 00890x

 

06500x / 08700x / 0109000 /

 

05053x / 07075x /

 

404220 / 909700 /

 

53500x / 75700x

 

Krasi, I had a great time going through these this morning. Thank you!

[Matt the Cat 0]

Matt.....why 4 chords? Basically you only need 3 right???

 

I'm showing off, what can I say......