Need help identitying chord shapes.

Ultraspontane · April 2015

OK, this may seem obvious to many of you here, but I'm working my way through the rhythm section of "I'll see you in my dreams", and I'm finding it to be confusing.

I own gypsy rhythm, and I can't find many of the chord shapes in there, nor can I find the "gypsy" versions on google, despite my best efforts. What am I doing wrong here?

For example "Eaug" isn't listed anywhere in gypsy rhythm, can't find anything that sounds like what's actually being played in the track on google. Also "Dm" is just plain D major, right? Why not just "D", then? Why is is so confusing? Are the chords labelled differently than normal?

Any help is appreciated.

wim · April 2015

Dm is D minor here. Common voicings [x57765x] or [x2323x].

Eaug means a sharp fifth, most guys write it E+ instead. A good voicing is [x7655x]. Personally I usually substitute an E7#9 here instead, and don't play any 5th in the voicing [x7678x] i.e. the "hendrix chord"

jonpowl · April 2015

Try this link from Django in June for enough chord shapes to keep you busy for a while: http://www.djangoinjune.com/files/LeadSheets/2014/chord shapes.pdf
Actually, there are a lot of great tune charts, videos, etc. at "Get Ready for Django in June" (http://www.djangoinjune.com/For_musicians/getready_Camp2015.html).

Buco · April 2015

Ultraspontane wrote: »

Also "Dm" is just plain D major, right? Why not just "D", then?

That would be D minor 7, usually 7th is implied. Your mind probably went into a knot after dealing with stuff and made an omission, I'm pretty sure you know when you see lower case "m", it stands for minor chord.
Here's what I use for minor/major/dominant shapes, it's two shapes for each and most of the time it's one or the other shape depending on which one sounds better with the melody of the song.

For minor 7 on a 5th string root I use, say for Dm7: [x5356x]
Or sometimes, plain [x5756x]
6th string root, for Am7 it's [5x555x]
but even more common for this style of music you'll see minor 6th: [5x455x]

For dom 7 on a 5th string which is realy a dom 9: [554555],
note that you can omit low E string as this shape makes for a very full sounding chord but not necessary to play it this way especially if at first you're having trouble to fret both E and D string with your 2nd finger.
Or sometimes I'll use a plain 7 [x5453x],
also with this shape it's common to grab a 5th note for bass on low E string instead of it's root.

On a 6th string most times for A7 it's [5456xx]
or sometimes but rarely [5x565x]

For major shapes, this is where GJ voicings differ the most from standard jazz. So while technically they are major 6/9 voicings like the above video shows, however they might be notated it's implied to use 6/9 shapes, at least in this style of music.
So for Dmaj on a 5th string root it's [554455]
and sometimes but rarely I'll use [x5747x]
which is more common jazz voicing.
For 6th string root Amaj it would be [577677],
this is the one where you grab a bass string by wrapping your thumb over the fretboard.
Or more jazz standard one [5x665x].

Excuse any possible brain farts on my part, I'm known for those as well.

AndrewUlle · April 2015

I am at the same point as the original poster, working to make the shift from 3-chord rock and roll (I IV V, two chord shapes all night long) to jazz tunes having 21 chords with 5-7 different shapes in each song.

I am noticing how you can play the same chord in 3 or more positions, or sometimes same chord shape played in the same position is named differently depending upon where it falls in the song like [10-x-9-10-x-x] being called a G7 and a D-6 in Robin Nolan's gig book (and this is within the same song). I understand there is some music theory involved and missing notes played by the bass and the fact that one chord is part of a turn around, etc., but my theory is not strong enough to corral all of those details should I even want to try.

Some of these chords are just nuts - I can't seem to get to them quickly (like [34535x] or stretches like C- [8x58xx]

But I will persevere in putting it all together at least to the point of being able to play the rhythm part all the way through a dozen songs or so; then I'll be more ready to jam in a group - maybe another year. Playing lead? Probably not in my lifetime LOL.

PS - to the original poster: great song choice by the way. I have worked on that for about 6 months or more, chords and melodic lead part. sigh....

Bones · April 2015

If you are confused it's best to keep it simple (actually as a rhythm player it's best to keep it simple all the time).

E+ just use E7 (7x67xx). If the soloist wants the #5 flavor he can add it on top. You can use the E+ if you want but it's really not necessary. I think in that context the important notes are actually the B, G#(Ab) and D (i.e. Abdim). The F in the Abdim isn't important but you can play that as well (i.e. pedal the F sound).

Dm in the chart shown just use Dm but Dm7 also works if that's easier for you.

Andrew, I don't recognize the chords that you are saying are a hard stretch. Just simplify them. I.e. Cm = 3x554x or Cm6 = 8x78xx. I'm not sure what the other chord is (34535x) .

Actually, if you are confused and find stretches difficult by a lot of shapes for jazz chords you should stick to the 5 or 6 basic ones that will cover everything you need and will stay out of the way of the soloist (i.e. not a lot of color tones and play in the lower register):

G6= 3x24xx
G/B= 7x57xx
G69/D= 10x9910x
Gdim= Gm6= 3x23xx
Gm7= 3x33xx or 10x810xx
G7= 3x34xx or 3234xx
G7/D= 10x910xx
Gm/D= 10x121211x

Notice a bunch of different chord names but some of the shapes are repeated so not that many to remember or to get your fingers to, plus they are easy so they work well at faster tempos.

A lot of the harmonic structure (chord charts) start to look similar after a while and you start to notice patterns. Just stick with it, memorize the charts for the songs that you like, and after a while it will get easier.

AndrewUlle · April 2015

The progress I'm noticing most is that I'm starting to recognize common progressions & turn arounds that keep showing up, so they are getting easier to play through without stumbling. Progress is slow with the limited practice time I have during the school year, but I still enjoy making noise on my guitar...

AndrewUlle · April 2015

Here is a GREAT web tool called chord designer; you place dots where you finger the chord and it gives you names and even plays what it will sound like:

http://www.chorderator.com/designer/

If you know the name of the chord just use

http://www.chorderator.com

and enter the chord name; e.g. C#dim or A-6

Bones · April 2015

Stuart, C#dim/G is MUCH easier to play 3x232x or even 3x23xx. I doubt I could grab that form without tearing something but my tendons are old and delicate. Plus that form has the G in there twice (octave) then you add the bass covering the G as well and that's a lot of Gs? I guess if one wanted a lot of thickness to the comping.