| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic A7 Chord Question
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  A7 Chord Question
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 3:17 am    
Reply with quote

I'm going through an E9th workbook and I don't quite get the A7 chord. I have an S10 with standard tuning, what strings or pedal/lever combination do I use to make an A7 chord? This info is needed so that I can play on a rhythm track in the key of D. I've got what's needed for D & G figured out, but don't get the A7. Thanks for any help.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 3:27 am    
Reply with quote

Fret 5, no pedals, any combination of strings 3,4,5,6,8,9,and 10. The 9th string is the 7th.

Or, If you have an F# to G (string 7) raise, us it in conjunction with the pedals down. open strings, on any combination of strings 3,4,5,6,7,8, and 10. The 7th here would be the raised 7th (F#, raised to te note G) string.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 4:33 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks Mike. And after further digging in the workbook (and more coffee), the writer shows that an A7 is achieved also by 10th fret: 3B,4D lever,& 5; etc. I'm working through John Bidasio's E9th workbook.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 5:42 am    
Reply with quote

Also 2 more- 3 frets above the open chord (8th fret in this case) with the F lever only using any of the combinations of the std 3 strings (3-4-5/4-5-6/5-6-8/ or 6-8-10). Also a common substitution for a 7th chord is a 5 minor (in this case an E minor) and commonly played with the aforementioned strings 2 frets behind the open chord with the A pedal depressed. This is commonly swapped in and out at the same location with the lever/pedal that lowers the B-Bb string(s). There are others.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 6:46 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks Jim!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 9:26 am    
Reply with quote

bob Ousby wrote:
I'm working through John Bidasio's E9th workbook.


John was my first steel teacher, back in '79
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 10:07 am    
Reply with quote

He did good! You both did good!! Now as for me, if I can just absorb a sliver...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 11:14 am    
Reply with quote

Bob, instead of thinking in terms of specific chords, you should think in terms of chord formations. and pedal positions.

Unless you're using open strings, all the chord positions are movable. The same positions are used for different letter names.

Once you know all your basic pedal positions, you can play on any key, including flat keys, which are infrequently used in guitar oriented (country, blues, rock etc) music. The only difference between playing in D and playing in Eb is which frets you use.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Matthew Prouty


From:
Warsaw, Poland
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 1:15 pm    
Reply with quote

What Mike said! Change the chords to their relative number V7 and learn where you play the V or V7 chord. You will leap ahead so much faster this way. Once you change a song from letters to numbers you will realize how easy most songs are. If you look at a song and see a Bm you might not know where to find it. But if you see a 6- you will know where to find it in any key.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 2:58 pm    
Reply with quote

Matthew...I like that part about leaping ahead much faster but I'm confused about your statement: "change the chords to their relative number V7 and learn where you play the V or V7 chord". Could you explain that? I'd like to know more. Thanks.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Matthew Prouty


From:
Warsaw, Poland
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 3:21 pm    
Reply with quote

Take the Key of C.

C is the I chord (One Chord)
D is the II chord
F is the IV chord
G is the V chord

If you know how to find all of your I chords and the relative position of the IV, V, VI- (six minor) chords in relation to those I chords then you do not have to transpose, so to speak. (e.g. C=G, F=C, G=D) 1 will always be 1 and 4 will always be 4.

Lets say you are using the 3rd fret A&B C chord. Most often you will refer to this as G fret or C with the pedals down, but its more beneficial to think of this as your A&B 1 chord. In relation to that you have a 1 chord at +5 frets NP and at +8 A&F, there is a 6- right there on that fret A&B root fret (forget about it being G or fret 3) , the IV chord at +5 w/ A&B pedals, V at +7 A&B pedals, etc

Look at the root fret. You have, just with the A&B pedals (or none) the Root, V chord, 6-, and many more.

Who knows what the 6- is, or the V chord, or any of them... If you know where to find a 6- for the key you are in then you have a whole lot less to think about. Once you know where to find them based off of their relative position to the root chord (1 chord) then you can think about the actual common chord name (if you want to).

Once I get on my root fret I no longer think about what key I am in. I only think about positions where the intervals are.

There is a great resource that I highly recommend for anyone who wants to work on this principal, its:

"The Missing Link" by Reese Anderson. This study material will open up doors and allow you to learn how to play, not just copy.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Gabriel Stutz

 

From:
Chicago, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 3:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Jim P. - in regard to your minor V substitution suggestion- is that the Vmi of the 7th? That is to say if I was in the key of C and I wanted to sub out the V7 (G7) for a Vmi - would I use the Dmi opposed to the Gmi? Also, does that work on a I7 going to a IV?

Thanks,
Gabriel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2008 4:33 pm    
Reply with quote

Gabriel- it is the 5 minor of the 1- ie.- in C it would be a G minor- works well if you played a C open at the 8th fret- then slide back 2 frets to play a a G minor at the 6th fret with the A pedal then to the F major either played at the 6th fret with the D lever (E-Eb) engaged (swapping the 7th string for the 6th string) or back up to the 8th fret with the A and B pedals engaged.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Gary Shepherd


From:
Fox, Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 6:28 am    
Reply with quote

Maybe it was mentioned but I didn't see it.

In the no pedals position (5th fret for A), the 2nd string is the 7th scale tone. You can lower it a half-step to get the dominant 7th sound.

Also, as Mike mentioned, 12AB is an A7 chord if you also have the G# to F# pull engaged. But not every one has this pull.

A b7 chord can also be used as a 7th in some cases. So move from 12AB to 10AB. It's really a G chord but will sound like A7 if played with the rest of the band.

Try this for a really A to A7 sound.
12AB~~10AB~~10B~~10BD~~10
_________________
Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10 & Peavey Nashville 1000

www.16tracks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 11:17 am    
Reply with quote

Now I am confused, Bob O started out in the key of D, where the A7 is V7. Jim P, says substitute vmi for the V7, or Emi. Isn't Emi the V of A? And Ami the V of D? Confused
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 11:26 am    
Reply with quote

Sorry- my post(s) referred to the key of A- my bad Sad
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Gabriel Stutz

 

From:
Chicago, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 11:26 am    
Reply with quote

Sorry if I caused any confusion with my question, but thanks Jim. I get it now.

Gabriel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 12:07 pm    
Reply with quote

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way- I promise to pay more attention Smile .
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 2:21 pm    
Reply with quote

bob Ousby wrote:
Matthew...I like that part about leaping ahead much faster but I'm confused about your statement: "change the chords to their relative number V7 and learn where you play the V or V7 chord". Could you explain that? I'd like to know more. Thanks.


Bob, you are probably familiar with the phrase Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do.

These words refer to the scale degrees, or numbers of the notes in the major scale. Do is 1 or 8, Re is 2 Mi is 3 etc.

It doesn't matter what key you're in. C, D, F#, Ab. whatever, Do stands for the first note in the scale. Re is the second etc.

You can build a chord on every note in the scale. But unless you start adding (or ins some cases subtracting) extra sharps and flats, the major chords that form the backbone of country, rock and blues music occur in the first, 4th and 5th notes of the scale. Consequently they are called 1, 4 and 5 chords. These are usually written with Roman numerals.

Look at the C scale. The notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C again. the 4th note in the scale is F, and the 5th is G, and the chords one normally plays in C are the C,F, and G chords.

You can form chords on the other notes too. You get minor chords on 2,3, and 6, and a diminished chord on 7.

If you really want to study the mathematics of all this in depth, I wrote a book on the subject that's published by Mel Bay called "Music Theory in the Real World: A Practical Guide for Today's Musicians." The book is available wherever Mel Bay nooks are sold.
I also wrote a steel guitar supplement, which I send for free to anybody who purchases the book.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 2:25 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks Mike and all the other contributors. And I ordered your book! I'm looking forward to digging into it.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Delvin Morgan


From:
Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 2:37 pm    
Reply with quote

Bob, Mike's book is fantastic. You won't be sorry. I learned a lot from it.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 3:59 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks Delvin. I'm glad the book helped.

Bob, don't forget to send me an E-mail when the book arrives so that I can send you the free steel guitar supplement.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
bob Ousby

 

From:
Nevada, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2008 4:20 pm    
Reply with quote

Hi Mike...Thank you. I'll email you when it gets here.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jeff Scott Brown


From:
O'Fallon Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 22 Dec 2012 7:15 am    
Reply with quote

Mike Perlowin wrote:
Fret 5, no pedals, any combination of strings 3,4,5,6,8,9,and 10. The 9th string is the 7th.

Or, If you have an F# to G (string 7) raise, us it in conjunction with the pedals down. open strings, on any combination of strings 3,4,5,6,7,8, and 10. The 7th here would be the raised 7th (F#, raised to te note G) string.



Mike,

I spent time last night struggling with this myself. I am playing a D chord at the 5th fret and need to go to an A7. I ended up going all the way up to the 10th fret to find one. I know this is elementary stuff but I haven't sorted it all out yet. All of the songs I have learned so far have been tabbed out for me or shown to me by my teacher. I am just now trying to map out the fretboard in my head so I can navigate my way around easily. I am still figuring out where everything is and haven't internalized much of this yet. I have been using http://tinyurl.com/e9chordchart and that has been helpful but wasn't helping me solve this particular problem. Your suggestion above is probably going to help me. Thanks a lot!

With my copedent at http://tinyurl.com/jeffsCopedent, are there any options for an A7 that aren't necessarily available on all guitars but are with my copedent?

btw... After reading this thread I just ordered your book. I am particularly interested in the PSG supplement. I think that may be helpful to me.

Thanks again.



JSB
_________________
GFI Ultra S10 Keyless
Peavey Nashville 112
Goodrich L120, BJS, Peterson StroboPlus HD
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 22 Dec 2012 9:21 am    
Reply with quote

At the Fifth fret, you have A7 right there! If you can lower your 2nd to D, it stacks thusly
Root: Strings 4&8
3rd: 3&6
5: 5&10
7: 2 (lowered ½step) &9
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron