Same chords, different song

[anthony]

Hey everyone,

Here's something that may dramatically improve your playing. Play a different song with the same exact chords.

I'll start simple, because that's how anyone should start. Get the feeling before trying to learn something bigger.

Here's two old songs. "O My Darlin Clementine" and "Goodnight Ladies"

"O My Darlin Clementine" play G major, D major, A7, D major, Gmajor

"Goodnight Ladies" play D major, A7, D major, G major

The exact same chords, but two completely different songs.

Now to add a little bit more. Try some small changes by using A Major. "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land" which is G major, D major, A major, D major, G major

Old songs you say. Well take a listen to "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something. D major, A major, G major (G/B played from the fifth string), G major.



Now throw in an A minor. "Knocking on Heaven's Door" G major, D major, A minor.

Add a C major and you've got Oasis. G major, D major, A minor, C major.

And I could easily go on. What I'm saying is that learning to play entirely different songs with the exact same chords gives you a feeling for the music and you can build from there to get the songs you want to play.


Anthony

[Admin]

Very Good Post! More On This Topic...
An even simpler example would be to discuss the theory of 3 chord progression, explaining how chords are played to compose songs that consist of only 3 chords. For example, the song "Louie Louie" by "The Kingsmen" when played in the key of A,consist of the 3 chords A,D,E.
These 3 chords are derived from A major scale, using intervals 1,4 and 5. When broken down into modes, these intervals provide the tonal key centers for the modes (A Ionian=major) (D Lydian=major) and (E Mixolydian=major), in thus, providing the 3 chords A major, D major and E major. This formula of intervals 1,4 and 5 are also commonly used for building blues riffs, songs, and standard 3 chord shuffle boogie's.
For an example of Blues Riffs see
www.guitartabbooks.com/freelessons/bluesguitartab.htm
A good song does not have to be complicated to be of quality, which is why it's important for all musicians to understand the basics of this theory. It's also important to learn how to "play songs in different keys".
A quick in simple explanation of "how to change keys" using the 3 chord theory of intervals 1,4 and 5 would be to say that : To transpose a song from the key of A (chords A,D,E) to the key of G, ....simple move all chords "down" 2 frets, which then become chords G,C and D.
To transpose a song from the key of A to the key of B, simply "move up" 2 frets to the key of B which provides chords B,E,F#.
When using this theory, what determines the "letter name" of the key your playing in, is the 1st note played (the tonic note) in chords referred to as the "roote note".
For example in A (A,D,E) you begin with "A", or "playing in the key of A".
When playing in the key of B (B,E,F#) you begin with "B", or.... "playing in the key of B".
Admin

[anthony]

What I was really concentrating on was the rhythym and feeling of the song. Playing different songs with the same exact chords.

A lot of music has the chords written over it G,C, D or F, Bb, C7 or G, A, D, Bm say. But those same chords are written over a hundred other songs. So its how you play the chords that makes them different. The name of the chord doesn't tell you how to play it or where to play it on the guitar, it only tells you which chord to play. Kind of like buying meat at the supermarket, it doesn't come with a recipe.

And for me learning to play different songs with strumming of the same exact chords has dramatically improved my playing. I've always been able to do melody from reading the notes, but had to work much harder on the rhythm. So I wanted to offer this help to others who may have difficulty with strumming rhythm.

Anthony

[Admin]

Another very good post! Your contributions are much valued and appreciated.
Admin

[eyemnothowardstern]

Thanks for this helpful info. Here are a few others that are fun to play, easy 3 chord
Zz top
Beer Drinkers (A,D,E)
Tush (G,C,D)
Chuck Berry
Johnny B. Goode (A#, D#, F)

[anthony]

Some three chord songs that I really like:

"Magic Carpet Ride" I don't know the band, it's a 60's song. D, C, G. D chord is barred at fifth fret and C chord at third fret. G chord barred at third fret.

"Wicked Game" - Chris Isaak Bm, A, E. Play it mixed strumming and apprieggo style.

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" - John Denver G, C, D

"If I Were a Carpenter" - Peter, Paul, and Mary G, D, C, G

Nirvana, don't know the name of the song, but its G, D, E. The G is 320033. Play it strumming through a couple of times. Then slow it down to an appriego and then strum it again.

What I really want is to get away from the open chords at the top three frets of the guitar, has anyone got any good ideas for songs to play? Thanks.

Anthony