Jazz Chord Question

[Mr. Jelly]

I play country blues and country blues rags and I like to throw in diminished and sharp diminished 7th chords at times. To me it kind of ramps it up a bit and a fun place to go after playing a seventh chord and feeling a change.

Do you have any suggestions as to what other chords I might find fun and useful to use in this sick fashion?

[Big Band Guitar]

Try replacing some of your tonic chords with a 6th. Add a few minor 7th.

[jseth]

Yep - major 6th chords were a staple of backing guitars and lap steels back in Hank Williams Sr.'s day...

"Occasionally" you may be able to add a major 7 chord to a ballad if it works... same for dominant 7/9 chords.

Adding 6ths and or 9ths can add color, as well - on both major and minor chords - but, you always have to "Serve the Song" or it's gonna stick out like a sore thumb!

[815C]

Try the tritone substitution (substituting a dominant 7th chord that is a tritone away from the V7 before resolving to the I chord).

If the song is in the key of C you could fit it in like this...

Without the tritone sub:

C
/ / / /

F
/ / / /

G
/ / / /

C
/ / / /

With the tritone sub:

C
/ / / /

F
/ / / /

G C#7
/ / / /

C
/ / / /

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by jseth

Yep - major 6th chords were a staple of backing guitars and lap steels back in Hank Williams Sr.'s day...

Yup, and they all learned it from Bob Wills.

[Mr. Jelly]

Thanks for your time guys. I'll be trying this stuff out. Thanks

[Big Band Guitar]

Here is a walk up.

G6 (G bass on the 6th string) 2 beats
Am7 (A bass on the 6th string) 1 beat
Bbdim (Bb bass on the 6th string) 1beat
G6 (B bass on the 6th string) 4 beats

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Big Band Guitar

Here is a walk up.

G6 (G bass on the 6th string) 2 beats
Am7 (A bass on the 6th string) 1 beat
Bbdim (Bb bass on the 6th string) 1beat
G6 (B bass on the 6th string) 4 beats

3x24xx

5x55xx

6x56xx

7x57xx

For those who like this way of looking at it. The second string note can be added too, but this is the "meat and potatoes"

[Big Band Guitar]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

3x24xx

5x55xx

6x56xx

7x57xx

For those who like this way of looking at it. The second string note can be added too, but this is the "meat and potatoes"

That's it notes can be added on the second string if you want the full 4 note chord. But what is shown is what I use a lot.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Big Band Guitar

That's it notes can be added on the second string if you want the full 4 note chord. But what is shown is what I use a lot.

These shapes are so useful as they can all function as multiple things...honestly, with maybe the addition of 2-3 more, and a decade or so of practice, you can play swing rhythm with the best of 'em!

[Mr. Jelly]

You guys are great! Thanks

[Big Band Guitar]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

These shapes are so useful as they can all function as multiple things...honestly, with maybe the addition of 2-3 more, and a decade or so of practice, you can play swing rhythm with the best of 'em!

Yes it did take around 10 years. I can now.

[T1mothy]

dunno what sharp diminished chord is but looking up diatonic theory and then stacking thirds is a good way to start.