It looks like you are not yet registered with The Jazz Guitar Forum. Click here to register, it's easy, fast and free!

The Jazz Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Jazz Guitar Forum > The Jazz Guitar Forum > Comping, Chords & Chord Progressions

Jazz Guitar Gazette Premium


Welcome to the Jazz Guitar Forums. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features.

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-06-2010, 05:43 AM
Drumbler's Avatar  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 677
Default Johnny Smith closed voicings

Could anyone post some examples of Johnny Smith type closed chord voicings?

I am interested in seeing the fingerings for these chords.

Thank you.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-06-2010, 08:31 AM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,878
Default

1357

||---|---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-3-|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|



Which inverts to


3571

||---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-3-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|





5713

||---|---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|3--|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|





7135

||---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-3-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|




Move them to the next set of strings (5432 and 6543). Most can only be played high on the neck. However as you change quality from major 7th through dim 7, ect, you get some useful, playable voicings .

I think he used this chord for in the firsdt measure of Ghost of a Chance.





C6 /Ami7

||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-3-|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|

Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-06-2010, 08:38 AM
Drumbler's Avatar  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 677
Default

Thank you, John!

I could never do those stretches. Wow.

Last edited by Drumbler : 07-06-2010 at 08:40 AM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-06-2010, 09:39 AM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,878
Default

I may have the frets wrong. It's better to follow the notes

CEGB
EGBC
GBCE
BCEG

Stacked in thirds. Some won't work well. however when you move them to a different group of strings they become quite do-able

Like 5713 on strings 5432. The ma7 voicing becomes this:


||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|-1-|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-3-|---|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-4-|---|
||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|



The bar makes it easier. Of course these work better higher up the neck where the frets are closer. Also since they are closely voiced they may sound 'muddy' when you get to the lower strings.(good for solo guitar. not as good when there's a bass player)

You should check them out. Even if you can't holds your fingers in place you could still 'sweep pick' them , holding down 2 or 3 of the 4 notes

Also, like I said, as you find the different qualities (ma7, dom7, mi7. ect) some become very playable
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-06-2010, 10:02 AM
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 82
Default

Remember, Johnny used a 25" scale neck only...
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-06-2010, 10:23 AM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,878
Default

Johnny Smith is one of the best that's ever been. Harry Leahey studied with him way back when. I'll bet Johnny was one hell of a teacher.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-06-2010, 10:25 AM
BigDaddyLoveHandles's Avatar  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kelowna, BC Canada
Posts: 4,233
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Hoffman View Post
Remember, Johnny used a 25" scale neck only...
That comment is not going to console guys with the "standard" Gibson 24 3/4" scale.

And I've never understood appeals to different scale lengths as far as making chords easier to grab. If I can grab one particular chord on a 24 3/4" scale neck, but not on a 25 1/2" neck, then I must be able to grab that on the 25 1/2" neck, just shifted up a fret. So the difference between what you can and can't do is at most within a fret.

For me, the big difference is string tension, assuming the same string set. And I just like the 25 1/2" scale. And I've wondered about 27" scale Soloways, but I've never played one:

Soloway Guitars - Swan Vs Gosling
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-06-2010, 10:26 AM
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,073
Default

A related voicing type is 3 note chords that include a 2nd.
They are most playable on the GBE or DGB strings.

CDF-----124
CDG-----125
CDA-----126
CDB-----127
CEF------134
CFG------145
CGA------156
CDE------123 ** (a bit harder)

Take these and harmonize the Major, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Harmonic Major and any other scales that you use.
Adjust the notes as needed.

Ex. 134 in the Melodic Minor
CEbF
DFG
EbGA
FAB
GBC
ACD
BDEb

Because they are incomplete they can fulfill many functions.

Ex. CDG in relation to different bass notes

Bass Note----------Function
C--------------------Cadd9----Cmadd9
Db------------------
D-------------------D7sus-----Dm7sus
Eb------------------Ebma7/6
E-------------------Cadd9/E-----Em7#5-----E7+#9
F-------------------Fma6/9-------Fm6/9-----F13
Gb-----------------
G------------------Cadd9/G-------Gsus
Ab-----------------Abma7#11
A------------------Am7sus
Bb-----------------Bbma6/9-------Bb13
B------------------Cadd9/B--------B7b9#9b13

These are some of the possibilities.

I find this class of voicing very useful and playable.
They mix freely with 4th voicings.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-06-2010, 10:30 AM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 2,878
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bako View Post
A related voicing type is 3 note chords that include a 2nd.
They mix freely with 4th voicings.

I think you and I went to the same "school"
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-06-2010, 11:29 AM
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,073
Default

John, It seems that way to me as well.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-13-2010, 05:07 AM
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 305
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles View Post
That comment is not going to console guys with the "standard" Gibson 24 3/4" scale.

And I've never understood appeals to different scale lengths as far as making chords easier to grab. If I can grab one particular chord on a 24 3/4" scale neck, but not on a 25 1/2" neck, then I must be able to grab that on the 25 1/2" neck, just shifted up a fret. So the difference between what you can and can't do is at most within a fret.

For me, the big difference is string tension, assuming the same string set. And I just like the 25 1/2" scale. And I've wondered about 27" scale Soloways, but I've never played one:

Soloway Guitars - Swan Vs Gosling
I have wondered about them also. I have a Danelectro Baritone and it definitely is harder to play some chords on the neck than guitars w/ shorter scales.

PJ
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-13-2010, 09:27 AM
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 1,223
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles View Post
And I've never understood appeals to different scale lengths as far as making chords easier to grab. If I can grab one particular chord on a 24 3/4" scale neck, but not on a 25 1/2" neck, then I must be able to grab that on the 25 1/2" neck, just shifted up a fret. So the difference between what you can and can't do is at most within a fret.
All true! As you say, it is just a one fret thing, so surely no big deal? Plus you could always put a capo on fret 1 or 2 of a longer scale instrument, and tune down, if needed?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright © 2006 Jazzguitar.be