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Post new topic Those pesky 2 chord tunes
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Author Topic:  Those pesky 2 chord tunes
Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 5:02 am    
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Does anybody else have a problem with these, or is it just me and my tin ear? I am the pedal steel player in our little jam band, and we are working on Hank William's Jambalaya. I am having a difficult time with the fills and turnarounds, nothing sounds right to me. I have tried 2m-b7-5dom7-1 and 2m-5dom7-1. Can anybody help?
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Jerry L Miller

 

From:
Sublette, Kansas, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 6:57 am    
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maby if you just feel the tempo and play the 1 and 5 cords it will fit.
jerry Very Happy
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chas smith R.I.P.


From:
Encino, CA, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 9:55 am    
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It sounds like you are trying to get your licks to fit in where they don't fit in. To continue what Jerry said above, maybe you need to step back and just keep it simple.

At one of the Conventions, after a weekend of steel guitar machineguns, Jerry Byrd came out and said, "I've spent a lifetime trying to play as few notes as possible."
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David Doggett


From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 10:06 am    
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Assuming you are playing E9, are you playing the I and V at the open pedal position, or at the AB pedal position? Try playing at the pedals-down postions, and pump those pedals. Also, at the AB pedal positions you have a 6th chord, which fits with this song. In fact, playing Jambalaya on the C6 neck works great, if you have a D10.
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George McLellan


From:
Duluth, MN USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 10:11 am    
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Delvin, if you can make it up to Duluth May 5th & 6th to the Arrowhead Steel Guitar Showcase, there will be plenty of steelers there that will be more than happy to help you.

Geo
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Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 10:45 am    
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George,

I do plan on being up in Duluth in May again this year. Maybe we will see you then.

Thanks
Del
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Bill Moore


From:
Manchester, Michigan
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 5:13 pm    
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Jambalaya just uses 2 chords, C and G7, at least that's the way I've played it. Playing the melody, fills, etc, is easier if you look at it in terms of playing the C scale, rather than in terms of chords. Like David said above, you can find that scale at the 8th fret and the 3rd fret.

Learn the harmonized C scale, and you can easily play the melody. I sort of move between both the 8th and 3rd fret positions, using parts of the scale at both positions. There are a lot of ways to move from the no pedals position, 8th fret, and the AB position, 3rd fret. I use parts of C scales played on strings 3+5, or 5+6, or 5+8, to do that. I would be very confused if I tried to think in terms of chords when playing a simple melody. I hope this makes sense. Good luck.
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Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 5:47 pm    
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I don't have it figured out completly, but, where I'm working it out is str.8,6,5.C chord 8th fret. hit the f lever... go to the 13th fret 4,5,6 with the a pedal, then to a g chord on the 10th fret. Be swinging with it!
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon
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Calvin Walley


From:
colorado city colorado, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 6:17 pm    
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like Bill said " just play the melody "

mostly 1 & 2 strings, a lot of time's a full chord will not fit where a 1 or 2 note melody fill sounds great,
at the moment i am working with Jeff Newmans "just play the melody " course and i am amazed at the way the scales turn out to be the melody in an awfull lot of songs
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick
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Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 7:13 pm    
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Thanks everybody, all of your imput will help greatly. I always have trouble with the simple 2 chord tunes, guess I try and put in to much into it.

Thanks again
Del
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2007 11:57 pm    
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I always do it on the C6, and keep to some variation of the melody,
Harmonically more complex, but still from the melody generally.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many!
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 11 Mar 2007 9:54 am    
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Think Cajun. Go with the rhythm. Think fiddle, accordian. The rhythms are different.
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