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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Chord related questions

2 replies [Last post]
Mon, 01/02/2017 - 16:12
baruch.friedman...
baruch.friedman@medstar.net's picture
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Joined: 10/09/2015

Dave in the Accompaniment Playing, study 3 - Chords section you explain how one builds the 1,4, and 5  chords which is clear. Why do we ignore the potential of  2(A/C/E) and 3 (B,D,F#) chords. Are they simply just not good as it relates to the blues?

Also in the song "I want you with me" LOA - 4/Accompaniment Section , on page 4 of the song/in the middle of the page - 4:12 Verse(Call and Response). there are some funky looking cords. What would one call a 6+/3+ chord - where I assume one tongue blocks holes 4 & 5  - Is this even a chord as it just combines 2 G notes 1 octave apart.. What would one call 6+/5+/4+/3+ chord - would this still be a 4 chord?

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Mon, 01/02/2017 - 19:08
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Baruch. The most common

Hello Baruch. The most common progression used in the blues in the 12 Bar Blues and it does not contain chords other than I, IV and V. Even non-12 bar blues progressions commonly just use those chords, just in a different order. Down the road (Music Theory Study 6) you'll learn about the other chords and their applications, but since they're not common, we don't focus on them now.

That is called an octave, and yes, is performed by blocking the two middle holes with your tongue. Tongue Block Study 2.5 shows the octave. Tongue Block Study 4 also does, just in much greater detail. You can either learn and practice this octave technique now, or just play the upper note (6+) for now.

Yes, a 3+ through 5+ can be called a IV Chord.

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Sun, 01/08/2017 - 16:42
#2
baruch.friedman...
baruch.friedman@medstar.net's picture
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Joined: 10/09/2015
Understood. Thanks

Understood. Thanks

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