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Old 06-14-2017, 05:16 PM
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dnf777 dnf777 is offline
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Default Isbell's chords in Pancho and Lefty?

Can someone tell me what the chord progression in his version is? Sounds like the usual D-A-G, but with a little "mystery" added. An add9 or something in the *A* spot? Adds a lot of character without changing too drastically.
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Old 06-14-2017, 06:20 PM
stanron stanron is offline
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He's in the key of E. It's difficult to see in the video I found

https://youtu.be/JK3aCgoYcRg

but it might be capo 2 using D shapes. Chord IV definitely looks like an open G shape. In the key of D the chords are

D, G, A and Bm. Bm is the chord each verse and chorus ends on.

The A chords may at times be A7 and at other times A sus 4. Does that help?
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Old 06-14-2017, 07:33 PM
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dnf777 dnf777 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stanron View Post
He's in the key of E. It's difficult to see in the video I found

https://youtu.be/JK3aCgoYcRg

but it might be capo 2 using D shapes. Chord IV definitely looks like an open G shape. In the key of D the chords are

D, G, A and Bm. Bm is the chord each verse and chorus ends on.

The A chords may at times be A7 and at other times A sus 4. Does that help?
Thanks. That is how I play it, but I think I'm hearing something different. I'll try the A7 and see if that's it. Could be that 7th! He's a better picker than he seems. The lyrics and melody grab so much attention, that his really good picking gets overlooked.
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Old 06-14-2017, 07:37 PM
stanron stanron is offline
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He also adds some notes to the Bm. It sounds like he is adding some open strings, partly lifting the barre. If I can dig up a capo tomorrow I'll see if that's it.
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Old 06-15-2017, 06:42 AM
zhunter zhunter is offline
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The key note is the second string D. Standard open D shape. Emphasize the D common tone by using shapes that hold the D note. He is initially suspending the A chord (the D note again). An interesting Bm shape happens when you hold the D shape again, drop the 1st string F# note to open E and pick up the B on 5th string, second fret and you've got a Bm. You can also drop the A on the 3rd string to open G or leave the A in. The root B in the bass and the minor 3 D up top defines the Bm and adds some interesting open string tensions (6, 11) . Pretty sure that is what he does. Pretty sure it is a common JT move too. And keep the D note in the G chord too.

hunter
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Old 06-15-2017, 11:54 AM
zhunter zhunter is offline
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Just to clarify I am talking chord shapes. As noted, he is capoed to second fret playing key of D shapes which is E key.

hunter
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Old 06-15-2017, 12:06 PM
mr. beaumont mr. beaumont is offline
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Nice take on this song.

SO here's the chord shapes I hear...up to y'all to figure out the exact picking...I couldn't hear the live version for nothing, but I found the recorded version where he's actually capoed at the 3rd fret, but same deal.

on the D:

Dadd9 x x 0 2 3 0

and good old D: x x 0 2 3 2

on the A

Asus: x 0 2 2 3 0

and A: x 0 2 2 2 0

On the G

G: 3 x 0 0 3 3

and with the b5 3 x 0 0 2 3 (he doesn't play the first string much on the G's, it seems)

and that cool B minor

x 2 4 0 3 0...which I guess you could call a Bm11#5 or Bm11b6...but it's just adding an open G and E to a B minor...

Anyway, hope that helps.
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Old 06-16-2017, 05:48 PM
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Thanks all. Got some good stuff to try out!
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