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  #46  
Old 11-18-2019, 11:11 AM
JimCA JimCA is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon Currie View Post
...

And I use a capo about 2-3 times a year.
"Without a capo, all my songs would be in G."

-- John Prine
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  #47  
Old 11-18-2019, 11:16 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeX View Post
Is it still a cowboy chord if you play it on a keyboard?
No - that a saloon bar chord!
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  #48  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:07 PM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
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I use the term both about myself and about others too, but the intent is never derogatory. I don't use capos - just don't like 'em. The only song I have and will use one for is "Bridge over troubled water", and only out of necessity. Nothing wrong with using them, I just don't like them, so I transpose a LOT.

I use Cowboy chords, diads, triads and power chords nearly exclusively on the acoustic. Does that mean that sometimes chords aren't EXACTLY right? Sure it does. A power chord doesn't provide the same tonality or feel as a Major or Minor chord barre chord - but MOST OF THE TIME, it is a close enough approximation FOR ME and my audience. I'm a singer 1st and player 2nd, so this accomplishes my goal. Less effort for my L hand and more gray matter for my voice.

On the electric, I play totally different. I rarely play in 1st position on the electric and opt for full barres instead. Barres with 9's are a lot different than Barres with 11's or 12's. Especially if you play the acoustic like I do (yeah, like a Cowboy on my R thigh) - this position is not conducive to making effortless barre chords.

I don't find the term "Cowboy Chords" to be derogatory, personally. I guess some people might use it that way, but that's their problem, not mine. They are a useful tool that should be in everyone's tool-belt IMO. The more tools we have, the better.

Angus Young lives a lot in frets 1-5, and I'd say he is a bit better than average.
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  #49  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:23 PM
Edgar Poe Edgar Poe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Mal View Post
I think you mean the first three or four "frets", not "positions". The "first position" on the guitar covers everything you would play until the fifth fret or so.
Yes, what I'm referring to, is the actual wear of the fretboard between the frets of the first position on the neck. Where the so called Cowboy Chords are fingered.
Sorry about the confusion in my post.
Those fretboard wear spots are PROBABLY more pronounced at those spots than any other on the neck.

Ed
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  #50  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:33 PM
mr. beaumont mr. beaumont is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
No - that a saloon bar chord!
For when you're playing "pi-any," instead of "piano."
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  #51  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:34 PM
Woolbury Woolbury is offline
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I think there are folks that learn the open position chords, realize they can play lots of songs with that piece of knowledge and leave it at that with their guitar playing. In my experience, many of these type players have a good voice, and can put a song across effectively with a simple style of guitar playing. I'm not that guy. So leads, fills, bass runs, riffs, playing all over the neck compensate for my simple vocal skills and makes my song presentation more interesting. No criticism or judgement, just a different use of the instrument
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  #52  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:59 PM
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Cowboy chords were good enough for the Beatles. Add a capo and you can rule the world...

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  #53  
Old 11-18-2019, 01:01 PM
alnico5 alnico5 is offline
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One if the great joys of guitar is hearing open strings sustain and ring against fretted notes. I play with a cowboy chord/capo guy. He may capo at the 3rd or 4th fret. That's fine. I take pleasure in playing the song without a capo sometimes. I like to hone my abilities. Being a rock guy I started on electric and immediately concentrated on full barre major and minor chords all up the neck.
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  #54  
Old 11-18-2019, 01:08 PM
alnico5 alnico5 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymarsch View Post
When I think of "cowboy chords" I think of Harlan Howard who said: "Country music is three chords and the truth."

There have been many a fine song written and played with three chords and some only two chords. Sometimes less is more.Jayne
True, many a song that I like has 3 chords. It can also be excruciatingly boring. I prefer 6-8 chords and the truth.
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I don't have a bunch of guitars because they all sound just like me.

1984 Carvin LB-40 bass
1986 Carvin DC-125 two humbucker
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Harley Benton LP JR DC
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  #55  
Old 11-18-2019, 02:49 PM
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Mr. Jelly Mr. Jelly is offline
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It's not any harder to play a jazz chord compared to a cowboy chord.
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  #56  
Old 11-18-2019, 02:56 PM
mr. beaumont mr. beaumont is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly View Post
It's not any harder to play a jazz chord compared to a cowboy chord.
Indeed, and for example, a G7#5b9 is EASIER to play than a G barre chord.
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  #57  
Old 11-19-2019, 08:50 AM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alnico5 View Post
True, many a song that I like has 3 chords. It can also be excruciatingly boring. I prefer 6-8 chords and the truth.
Or two guitars, a fiddle, pedal steel, stand up bass, harmony singers, and the truth - that can be pretty satisfying.

Best,
Jayne
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  #58  
Old 11-19-2019, 09:22 AM
Guildman Guildman is offline
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Us older folks that started out playing decades ago and measured Beck, Dimeola, McGlaughlin and others against the status quo probably put as much critique then as today but these kids taking selfies during a live performance have no clue what chord or position its being played.
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  #59  
Old 11-19-2019, 09:26 AM
Guildman Guildman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woolbury View Post
I think there are folks that learn the open position chords, realize they can play lots of songs with that piece of knowledge and leave it at that with their guitar playing. In my experience, many of these type players have a good voice, and can put a song across effectively with a simple style of guitar playing. I'm not that guy. So leads, fills, bass runs, riffs, playing all over the neck compensate for my simple vocal skills and makes my song presentation more interesting. No criticism or judgement, just a different use of the instrument
Kind of my same take, I am getting older with less passion but still have that thread of desire that I want to conquer the instrument.
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  #60  
Old 11-19-2019, 10:29 AM
Brent Hahn Brent Hahn is offline
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When I was a teenager trying to get better at reading music, I sat down with a hymnal and discovered that, with a couple tiny exceptions, every syllable of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" has a different chord. And every one of them's a cowboy chord, in the key of G Major at least.

At a brisk tempo, it makes a fun bluegrass tune. Although I'm not sure how the Bulwark himself feels about it.
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