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  #1  
Old 02-06-2010, 12:03 PM
Lou777 Lou777 is offline
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Default Which A7 do you play.

I am trying to learn a couple of songs with the A7 two of my friends play the Bar version. I can't get it to sound decent for nothing. I know practice

Before theses guys showed me these two songs I used the easy one that comes up on CordFind.com. Just the regular A and lift my middle finger. I can hear a difference and I have to get the bar version down.

I am wondering what you guys use.
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Old 02-06-2010, 12:12 PM
dberch dberch is offline
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try these. The numbers represent the frets to play and the position l-r represents the string 6 - 1 high to low as if you were looking at your neck straight on from above. X means don't play this note.

Standard D chord would be
xx0232

A7 with two fingers: x02020

A7 you can play many ways here's another: xo2223

here's an A7 you cay play up the neck a bit without a bar: x007989

Here's some hints on which fingers to use.
i = index
m = middle
r = ring
p = pinky
t = thumb

A7:
x02020
__m_r_

x02223
__iiir or
__iiim or
__imrp

A7 up the neck:
__irmp
x07989

the secret here is that there are many RIGHT ways. Or said anther way, the RIGHT way is the way that lets you get the cleanest notes, AND allows you to get to the next chord the easiest. that can be different for each player. Someone with short stubby fingers plays many chords way different than I do. That sure doesn't make one of us wrong.

Hope this helps.
David

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Last edited by dberch; 02-06-2010 at 12:24 PM.
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Old 02-06-2010, 12:25 PM
daleyfolk daleyfolk is offline
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Either chord shape works. I generally prefer the sound of the x02020. but if you really want to hear the sound of the flatted 7 on the top, you'll need to work on your x02223 shape (which can be played without barring).

Another shape to try x05650 or x0565x
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Old 02-06-2010, 12:34 PM
Hack Amatuer Hack Amatuer is offline
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don't know if someones put this one or not . . .

X-O-11-12-10-9
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Old 02-06-2010, 12:39 PM
Taylorplayer Taylorplayer is offline
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The one I learned: xo2223 The one I like: x02020 (it seems to "fit" better in Country Blues"). YMMV
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Old 02-06-2010, 12:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylorplayer View Post
The one I learned: xo2223 The one I like: x02020 (it seems to "fit" better in Country Blues"). YMMV
Hi folks…

Also don't forget 005055 (which is a variant on 002020)

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Old 02-06-2010, 01:44 PM
Lou777 Lou777 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daleyfolk View Post
Either chord shape works. I generally prefer the sound of the x02020. but if you really want to hear the sound of the flatted 7 on the top, you'll need to work on your x02223 shape (which can be played without barring).

Another shape to try x05650 or x0565x
Can be played without barring What an easy fix, right under my nose!
I just tried it mcuh easier for me and I can do it clean because I been playing a lot of songs with A.

I know, I still have to practice bar cords.

Thanks everyone.
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Old 02-06-2010, 01:51 PM
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X0768X works verry well too.
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Old 02-06-2010, 01:52 PM
Herb Hunter Herb Hunter is offline
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I usually use whatever version of the A7 chord works best for the particular song I am playing.

Assuming you are not talking about a bar chord at the fifth fret, an alternative way to fret the bar version to which I think you are referring, is to use all four fingers. I form a standard A chord with the middle, ring and index fingers and then add my pinky to the first string, third fret.
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Old 02-08-2010, 04:33 PM
Allman_Fan Allman_Fan is offline
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I do both. You can, too. It’s not hard, but you have to “do both.” Here are some related thoughts.

1. Your way . . with Special Sauce!
Make it your way, but with the middle finger (on D string) and ring (B string). Now, slide up the neck like this. (Play all the strings, except low E.)

E|-----------------------
B|--2(r)-----3(i)-----5(r)-
G|-----------------------
D|--2(m)----4(m)----5(m)-
A|----------------------
E|--X-------------------

And you can keep going up the neck in a similar fashion.
i. Only fret the D and B strings.
ii. Always fret the D string with your middle finger.
iii. Use your index on the B string if you fret on “below” the middle finger and use the ring if you fret on the “same” fret.
iv. Experiment and see what sounds best; you’ll figure it out.

You can use this in the following situation: The song is in D and you are playing the A7 for a while before resolving back to the D at the beginning of the verse/chorus. Well, rather than “hanging” around in the same A7, walk it up the neck!

(These may not all be (technically) A7 chords. I think of them as “A7 walk-up notes to D”)

2. The other/bar way.
Consider the highest four strings. Now, if you move the same shape up, three frets, from the 2nd to the 5th, you have a C7. Two more frets, D7, and so on. This may be your first “bar chord!”

E|--3(m)---- 6(m)-----8(m)------
B|--2(i)------5(i)------7(i)------
G|--2(i)------5(i)------7(i) -----
D|--2(i)---- -5(i)------7(i)------
A|-----------X---------X----------
E|--X--------X---------X----------

----A7-------C7-------D7

You can play the open A string on the A7 chord, but not on the others – just the highest 4 strings.

In part 2, these are separate, unrelated chords, whereas the “chords” in the part 1. are to be played one after another, as a “riff.”
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Old 02-08-2010, 05:24 PM
Acoustic Rick Acoustic Rick is offline
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Bunch of ways to make an A7th. Pick the one that tonally suits what you're playing.
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Old 02-08-2010, 06:08 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Depending on the song, and how you choose to arrange it to apply your own stamp to it, one of the several versions of the A7 chord will work. Choose the version that works for your vocal/playing style for a particular song.

Regards,

SpruceTop
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  #13  
Old 02-08-2010, 06:41 PM
Lou777 Lou777 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allman_Fan View Post
I do both. You can, too. It’s not hard, but you have to “do both.” Here are some related thoughts.

1. Your way . . with Special Sauce!
Make it your way, but with the middle finger (on D string) and ring (B string). Now, slide up the neck like this. (Play all the strings, except low E.)

E|-----------------------
B|--2(r)-----3(i)-----5(r)-
G|-----------------------
D|--2(m)----4(m)----5(m)-
A|----------------------
E|--X-------------------

And you can keep going up the neck in a similar fashion.
i. Only fret the D and B strings.
ii. Always fret the D string with your middle finger.
iii. Use your index on the B string if you fret on “below” the middle finger and use the ring if you fret on the “same” fret.
iv. Experiment and see what sounds best; you’ll figure it out.

You can use this in the following situation: The song is in D and you are playing the A7 for a while before resolving back to the D at the beginning of the verse/chorus. Well, rather than “hanging” around in the same A7, walk it up the neck!

(These may not all be (technically) A7 chords. I think of them as “A7 walk-up notes to D”)

2. The other/bar way.
Consider the highest four strings. Now, if you move the same shape up, three frets, from the 2nd to the 5th, you have a C7. Two more frets, D7, and so on. This may be your first “bar chord!”

E|--3(m)---- 6(m)-----8(m)------
B|--2(i)------5(i)------7(i)------
G|--2(i)------5(i)------7(i) -----
D|--2(i)---- -5(i)------7(i)------
A|-----------X---------X----------
E|--X--------X---------X----------

----A7-------C7-------D7

You can play the open A string on the A7 chord, but not on the others – just the highest 4 strings.

In part 2, these are separate, unrelated chords, whereas the “chords” in the part 1. are to be played one after another, as a “riff.”


That was an interesting exercise. Thaks for taking the time .


Thanks everyone.
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  #14  
Old 02-14-2010, 11:36 PM
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DenverSteve DenverSteve is offline
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[QUOTE=Herb Hunter;2116786]I usually use whatever version of the A7 chord works best for the particular song I am playing. QUOTE]

+1 With several A7 variations, I use whichever flows best in the progression I am using.
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  #15  
Old 02-15-2010, 08:58 AM
Jhengsman Jhengsman is offline
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I think it is the learning curve going on. Some people just play tabs and don't recognize they are playing alternate chord voicings. Others just start out with the basic first position chord fingering maybe go on to the bar chord and then over time learn other voicings of chords and when we are able to pull an alternate voicing without the prodding of a tab we have crossed a threshold and moved up a level as players
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