Chord du Jour: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 211m + Bbm Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is Bbm for the guitar, as a barre chord at the 6th fret:

Chords for Jam Session 211m: Bbm Db Gb Bbm Ab

Jam Session Notes - We apologize for publishing this Jam Session so late in the day, on this Memorial Day Monday. We'll have the next one ready hopefully in about 12 hours!

Jon's Guitar

     
     Bbm       Db          Gb        Bbm   Ab

E  |-6---------4---------|-2---------6-----4--|---------------------|
B  |-6---------5---------|-2---------6-----4--|---------------------|
G  |-6---------6---------|-3---------6-----4--|---------------------|
D  |-8---------6---------|-4---------8-----6--|---------------------|
A  |-8---------4---------|-4---------8-----6--|---------------------|
E  |-6-------------------|-2---------6-----4--|---------------------|

Ryan's Guitar - Capo on 1st Fret

     
     Bbm       Db          Gb        Bbm   Ab

F  |-0---------0---------|-1---------0-----3--|---------------------|
C  |-1---------1---------|-1---------1-----3--|---------------------|
Ab |-2---------0---------|-2---------2-----0--|---------------------|

Eb |-2---------2---------|-3---------2-----0--|---------------------|

Bb |-0---------3---------|-3---------0-----2--|---------------------|
F  |---------------------|-----------------3--|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: Using a capo can breathe life into good ol' open chord voicings, since you are changing them into different chords, with higher pitches.

Third Hand Capo Universal Partial Guitar Capo

Kyser KGEB Quick-Change Electric 6-String Capo Black

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Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Friday, May 28, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 210o + Eb5 Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is the Eb5 power chord for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 210o: Eb5 C5 Bb5 Ab5

Jam Session Notes

Jon's Guitar is in Standard Tuning.

     Eb5                   C5                   Bb5

E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-8-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-8-------------------|-10-----------------|-8-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-10-----------------|-8-------------------|
E  |---------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------------|

Ab5

E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Ryan's Guitar is in Half-Step Down Tuning.

     Eb                    Cm                   Bb
Eb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Bb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Gb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Db |---------------------|-4h6----------------|-2h4-----------------|
Ab |-2h4-----------------|-----4--------------|-----2---------------|
Eb |-----0---------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Ab
Eb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Bb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Gb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Db |-7--6--4--2--4-------|--------------------|---------------------|
Ab |-0-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Eb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: If you want to spice up a chord progression, stop strumming chords and start riffing single- or double-notes within each chord/key. For example, check out what Ryan did to the chords in the Jam Session above.

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Eb Mixolydian Mode (Guitar) + Jam Session 112j

The Mode of the Day is Eb Mixolydian for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 112j: Fm Ebsus2 Ab

Jam Session Notes: See original show notes here.

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: When improvising a solo, believe/pretend that your instrument is actually saying something. Imagine your instrument saying words and phrases and sentences, instead of just playing patterns or random notes within a scale. See where that takes your jam sessions!

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 210n + Eb Major Scale (Guitar)

The Scale of the Day is Eb major diatonic for the guitar:

Chord/Scale/Mode of the Day Image

Chords for Jam Session 210n: Eb Bb Ab Bb

Jam Session Notes

Jon's Guitar is in standard tuning.

     Eb                    Bb                   Ab            Bb

E  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------6-----|
B  |-8-------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------6-----|
G  |-8-------------------|-7------------------|-5-------------7-----|
D  |-8-------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------8-----|
A  |-6-------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------8-----|
E  |---------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------6-----|

Ryan's Guitar is in half-step down tuning. Fret Low Eb string with your thumb.

     Eb                    Bb                   Ab            Bb

Eb |---------------------|-7------------------|-5-------------7-----|
Bb |-9-------------------|-7------------------|-5-------------7-----|
Gb |-9-------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------8-----|
Db |-9-------------------|-9------------------|-7-------------9-----|
Ab |-11------------------|-X------------------|-X-------------X-----|
Eb |-0-------------------|-7------------------|-5-------------7-----|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: We didn't use an harmonica this week, but try out this Jam Session with an Eb harmonica.

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Eb Major Pentatonic Scale (Guitar) + Jam Session 111h

The Scale of the Day is Eb major pentatonic for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 111h: Bb Ab Eb

Jam Session Notes: Check out the original show notes here.

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: For stringed instruments, like guitar and bass, try having some open strings (un-fretted notes) that are a part of the key you're using. For example, if you are playing in Eb, tune your strings a half-step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb). If you are playing in D, try dropped-D tuning (D A D G B E), full-step down tuning (D G C F A D), or open-D tuning (D A D F# A D). If you are jamming in G, standard tuning is cool, and so is open-G (D G D G B D). You'll find some neat chord voicings that incorporate open strings.

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Monday, May 24, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 210m + Eb Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is Eb for guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 210m: Eb Cm Db Ab Eb Cm Db

Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     Eb                    Cm                   Db

E  |-6-------------------|-3------------------|-4-------------------|
B  |-8-------------------|-4------------------|-6-------------------|
G  |-8-------------------|-5------------------|-6-------------------|
D  |-8-------------------|-5------------------|-6-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-3------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Ab                    Eb                   Cm

E  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|-3-------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-8------------------|-4-------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|-8------------------|-5-------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-8------------------|-5-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-3-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Db                    Db

E  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
B  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
G  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     Eb                    Cm                   Db

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---3-4-6-------------|
A  |---6-----------------|-6------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |-6-------------------|---8----------------|---------------------|

     Ab                    Eb                   Cm

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|-5------------------|----------8-10-------|
A  |---3-4-6-------------|---6----------------|---6-8-10------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|-8-------------------|

     Db                    Db

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |------------11-------|-11-9-8-6-----------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-9-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: Playing music should be fun. Play bum notes. Make mistakes. But most of all, learn from your mistakes.

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Friday, May 21, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 209o + Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale (Half-Step Down Guitar)

The Scale of the Day is Ab minor pentatonic for a guitar tuning a half-step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb):

Chords for Jam Session 209o: Abm (x3) E Eb

Jam Session Notes

Jon's Guitar is in standard tuning.

     Ab5 (play for three measures)              E5       Eb5

E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |---------------------|--------------------|-9--------8----------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|-9--------8----------|
A  |-6-------------------|--------------------|-7--------6----------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Ryan's Guitar is in half-step down tuning.

     
     Abm (play for three measures)              E        Eb

Eb |---------------------|--------------------|-1--------0----------|
Bb |---------------------|--------------------|-1--------0----------|
Gb |-5----7^p5-----------|--------------------|-2--------1----------|
Db |-7----------7--------|--------------------|-3--------2----------|
Ab |-0-------------------|--------------------|-3--------2----------|
Eb |---------------------|--------------------|-1--------0----------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: Try out new sounds by collecting single-effect pedals and amplifiers and/or installing software plugins and/or using a multi-effects pedal.

Korg Pandora PX5D Guitar Multi Effects Processor Silver

DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Digidesign Eleven Rack Guitar Multi Effects Processor

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Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Ab5 Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 110l

The Chord of the Day is the Ab5 power chord for guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 110l: Eb Db Ab B Ab Db Eb

Jam Session Notes: Jon's guitar is in standard tuning; Ryan's guitar is in half-step down tuning. You can check out the original show notes here.

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: One of my favorite FXpansion software is their VST-to-RTAS adapter. We record our Jam Sessions in Pro Tools, and this 'wrapper' lets us use a whole lot of free VST plugins within the proprietary RTAS environment of Pro Tools. More effects are just a legally free, open-source download away.

I don't know if they sell the VST-to-RTAS adapter at Musician's Friend, but they have a coupon for a discount on other FXpansion software: Use Coupon Code ECO to take $50 off FXpansion Software at Musician'sFriend.com! Exp. 07/15

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 209n + G#m Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is G#m for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 209n: G#m E7 (x3) B C#

Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     G#m                   E7                  (repeat three times)

E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-3------------------|---------------------|
G  |-4-------------------|-1------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-2------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|

     B                     C#

E  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
G  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
D  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
A  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     G#                    E7                  (repeat three times)

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|

     B                     C#
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: Try it with a key of B harmonica. G# minor is the relative minor of B, after all.

Hohner XB-40 Extreme Bending Harmonica Key of B

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Ab Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 110i

The Chord of the Day is Ab major for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 110i: Eb Bb Db Ab

Jam Session Notes: Check out the original show notes here.

Guitar

     Eb                    Bb                   Db

E  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------------|
B  |-8-------------------|-6------------------|-6-------------------|
G  |-8-------------------|-7------------------|-6-------------------|
D  |-8-------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-8------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |---------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|





     Ab
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|


Bass


     Eb                    Bb                   Db
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|-1------------------|-4-------------------|
D  |-1-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|




     Ab
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: These random equipment deals from Musician's Friend aren't just for musicians in the U.S. They also ship to Canada. I don't know about other countries.

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic! Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Monday, May 17, 2010

NEW! Jam Session 209m + Ab Major Pentatonic Scale (Guitar)

The Scale of the Day is Ab major pentatonic for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 209m: Ab Eb+ Fm Db Dbsus2

Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     Ab                    Eb+                  Fm

E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|-8-------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|-9-------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|-4------------------|-10------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-5------------------|-10------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Db        Dbsus2 Db
E  |-4---------4------4--|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |-6---------4------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-6---------6------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6---------6------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4---------4------4--|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     Ab                    Eb+                  Fm

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|----6----------------|
A  |---------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|----7---------------|---------------------|

     
     Db        Dbsus2 Db
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions: If you play an harmonica while you're playing another instrument, you'll be like a folksy troubadour playing two instruments simultaneously. Remember to use an harmonica holder. (Ryan used an Ab harmonica for this Jam Session.)

Hohner XB-40 Extreme Bending Harmonica Key of Ab/G#

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!