Ted Greene's *Chord Chemistry* Book

NSJ · #1 08-11-2009, 12:28 PM

I was thinking of picking this up. What are people's thoughts about this? I pride myself on being able to BUILD chords up musically through the rules of harmony and usually do NOT rely on thousand page chord charts and fingering. Thus, I'd like to figure stuff out myself.

Will this book help out in this way? Does it force you to think musically? Or are you just staring at a bunch of tabs and chord charts? What are the benefits of this book as an addition to one's music reference library--to those who already have this book, of course.

mr. beaumont · #2 08-11-2009, 12:48 PM

it's a great book, and a reference book, not a method book. you can take one little idea ted speaks of and work with it for a month!

and yes, there's plenty of chord charts, but i guarantee there's some you'd have never thought of--i know there was for me.

it's a great book overall, one i keep going back to some ten years after i bought my first copy.

NSJ · #3 08-11-2009, 01:46 PM

Cool, a reference book is exactly what I'm looking for. I've clicked the magic button and have ordered it.

derek · #4 08-11-2009, 03:31 PM

It is one of those "lifetime" books. I only have a handful that I have used off and on for years. This is one that you keep coming back to time and time again. However, it does take some getting used to. When it arrives, you will see what I mean. It can be VERY overwhelming, so you just have to take one shape at a time and work it.

fep · #5 08-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

I pride myself on being able to BUILD chords up musically through the rules of harmony and usually do NOT rely on thousand page chord charts and fingering. Thus, I'd like to figure stuff out myself.

That's what I do also. My new voicings come from working out chord melodies.

I have the book, I'm sure there is a ton for me to learn from the book but... I don't use it. Memorization is my weak point and I don't like learning that way.

Edit: as a matter of fact I learned a new voicing today doing a chord melody for the tune 'Four' (I bet you can guess which was the new voicing for me - I really likey):

thebluntman · #6 08-14-2009, 10:24 PM

ofc you should know how to build chords but it is a really awesome book with approx 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000x voicings and lots of information on subs etc

larry graves · #7 08-15-2009, 09:29 AM

HI. I had all of Ted's books, then the penny dropped, and thought what
right has Ted or anyone for that matter to tell me how to play MY guitar. So I gave them all to a guy who I sold an amp to--[a Peterson] I wish I
had it now.[ Old story eh.]
Anyway what I'm trying to say is, try and learn this stuff you're self-
-get a good chord book-learn all of 2-5-1's in the cycle along with the arpeggio's and experiment all of the time. The main thing to remember
is,this is a pleasurable life long pursuit, and you get better and better
at it. Of course this is only my opinion-albeit based on 55 years of play-
-[mainly jazz] guitar.LG. PS. I still have the first chord book I ever bought--Dance band chords for the guitar by Eric Kershaw-published in
1946...

markyT · #8 08-16-2009, 03:44 PM

ive got a ted greed chord progression book i found in pdf free ...its photocopied

NSJ · #9 08-24-2009, 10:16 PM

Ok, just for fun and enlightenment, I'm checking out Ted's 79 voicings for Maj6 (1,3,5,6) chords on pp. 18-19, analyzing the notes, looking for patterns/inversions (drop 2, drop 3 et al) and comparing and contrasting the great and systematic method I learned from my teacher when learning C6 chords (1st on the first 4 strings, then on the inner 4 strings, finally on strings 6-4-3-2), using them as a foundation for building any basic chord I needed (by basic, I mean: M6, m6, 7, M7, m7, half-dim/m7b5, dim7) just by altering the fingerings associated with the foundational 3rds, 5ths, and 6ths. Checking out Ted's work and how it compares with and builds upon what I've already learned.

mr. beaumont · #10 08-24-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markyT

ive got a ted greed chord progression book i found in pdf free ...its photocopied

keep it. i'll buy it, and support a dead man who was grossly unrecognized during his lifetime's estate, thank you very much.

when are folks gonns get hip to the fact that some people made their LIFE from teaching this shit and that it's NOT OKAY to just photocopy it and put it up for free on the internet?

#11 08-25-2009, 07:18 AM

If you are interested, check out his site run by his partner Barbara Franklin. She is systematically posting all of his lesson material for free (although i would suggest donating to help her w/ the cost). There are chord melodies, chord studies, single line studies, etc. Some amazing videos as well. I have no words to express how indebted I am to Ted and his teaching.

www.tedgreene.com

FatJeff · #12 08-25-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

keep it. i'll buy it, and support a dead man who was grossly unrecognized during his lifetime's estate, thank you very much.

when are folks gonns get hip to the fact that some people made their LIFE from teaching this shit and that it's NOT OKAY to just photocopy it and put it up for free on the internet?

Probably never. I'm sure you've seen the "reasoning" put forth by some members of this forum to justify their theft of copyrighted material via scribd. It's basically the same line of reasoning used to justify littering. "Hey, it's just one paper cup...what's it gonna hurt? Plus, everyone else does it."

Awesome McBadass · #13 08-25-2009, 08:35 AM

On the "stealing" thing--
It may not be the right thing to do, but it's never going to stop as long as there is internet, so constantly bitching about it isn't going to do any good.

FatJeff · #14 08-25-2009, 08:41 AM

Well, it IS stealing. It's not "stealing". And the "bitching" came about because someone decided to offer photocopied material. It's not like we just decided to hijack the thread and start complaining for no reason.

mr. beaumont · #15 08-25-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awesome McBadass

On the "stealing" thing--
It may not be the right thing to do, but it's never going to stop as long as there is internet, so constantly bitching about it isn't going to do any good.

i haven't even begun any real bitching.

i'm making a point. maybe the cat who posted that link will realize it's wrong, maybe he won't. but as someone who's been working on a beginner jazz book for the last 2 years, if i found it was available for free on the internet somewhere, i'd be pissed. so i'm going to make that point.

plus this is ted greene we're talking about here...this isn't any robin hood shit--the guy was a teacher first. plus, like someone else mentioned, barbara is running that website that has tons of his teaching material available...i'd like to think that some of the actual sales ted's products make help to keep that website alive...

reventlov · #16 08-25-2009, 08:56 AM

I'm with Jeff and Mr B on this. It's stealing.

derek · #17 08-25-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awesome McBadass

On the "stealing" thing--
It may not be the right thing to do, but it's never going to stop as long as there is internet, so constantly bitching about it isn't going to do any good.

We could say the same about murder, rape, arson, or someone stealing your identity. Would you take the same cavlier attitude about someone taking your guitar? I am guessing not.

As long as people do wrong things, it is up to others to point it out until the behavior changes, or the laws/technology catch up. Those of us who grew up buying albums have a responsibility to educate the digital generation that just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

monk · #18 08-25-2009, 11:16 AM

No one gets rich playing jazz or teaching guitar. In fact, very few people get rich playing music of any kind.

I am fortunate to count several well known guitarists as friends and most have to struggle and hustle constantly just to manage a middle class living. Every penny they make from books, CDs or DVDs is important to them.

If someone walked into to your workplace and took whatever product or service you sell or produce or walked into your home and took your guitar, you would call it theft.

It takes months (and sometimes years) to produce a book like Chord Chemistry. When someone copies and posts it on the Internet without the author's permission they are stealing the work, time and ideas from that person (as well as the possible monetary profit).

If you take something that doesn't belong to you it's theft and no amount of rhetoric or philosophising will alter that truth.

Read The Fountainhead and/or Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Regards,
monk

monk · #19 08-25-2009, 11:24 AM

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke

jsteele · #20 08-25-2009, 08:26 PM

citing ayn rand exposes a lack of philosophical rigor that can only hurt your seemingly well intentioned argument.

monk · #21 08-25-2009, 08:48 PM

This is a forum. You are entitled to your opinion as am I.

If you've read the books you should understand why, in this instance, I cited them. If not, you won't.

Regards,
monk

fep · #22 08-25-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteele

citing ayn rand exposes a lack of philosophical rigor that can only hurt your seemingly well intentioned argument.

Don't feed the troll

markyT · #23 08-26-2009, 12:00 PM

I actually bought the book last year so cheap off amazon after fighting over it at music college library, but after finding someone giving it away as a pdf I was surprised and still downloded it.

its a shame, and a bonus that we can get all this quality free stuff online , I'm in two minds ........I know having a hard drive of the best books (with audio) aint gonna make anyone a better a player , in fact info overload is a big problem to me ....too many books/dvds (ones ive bought) is not a great thing but a distraction sometimes

anyway on the ted green chord chemistry, I'm sure anyone could have sourced it out ....google , rapidshare, blogs ect ect ...anyway wont be upsetting anyone again by offering stuff ive found lying around cyberspace - my honest appologies

FatJeff · #24 08-26-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markyT

I actually bought the book last year so cheap off amazon after fighting over it at music college library, but after finding someone giving it away as a pdf I was surprised and still downloded it.

its a shame, and a bonus that we can get all this quality free stuff online , I'm in two minds ........I know having a hard drive of the best books (with audio) aint gonna make anyone a better a player , in fact info overload is a big problem to me ....too many books/dvds (ones ive bought) is not a great thing but a distraction sometimes

anyway on the ted green chord chemistry, I'm sure anyone could have sourced it out ....google , blogs ect ect ...anyway wont be upsetting anyone again by offering stuff ive found lying around cyberspace - my honest appologies

...conveniently sidestepping the real issue...

derek · #25 08-26-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markyT

I actually bought the book last year so cheap off amazon after fighting over it at music college library, but after finding someone giving it away as a pdf I was surprised and still downloded it.

its a shame, and a bonus that we can get all this quality free stuff online , I'm in two minds ........I know having a hard drive of the best books (with audio) aint gonna make anyone a better a player , in fact info overload is a big problem to me ....too many books/dvds (ones ive bought) is not a great thing but a distraction sometimes

anyway on the ted green chord chemistry, I'm sure anyone could have sourced it out ....google , blogs ect ect ...anyway wont be upsetting anyone again by offering stuff ive found lying around cyberspace - my honest appologies

Yeah, this is what I meant when I said that those of us who have been around for a while (read: old geezers) need to try to educate the digital generation, that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

Everyone certainly understands that this stuff and much more (guitar materials would be only the tip of the iceberg of stuff available) is available for free from a large number of sites. Heck, you might even be able to download gigs of this stuff for years with no consequence.

However, none of these circumstances changes the fact that it is stealing. As fellow musicians, we have an obligation to support one another on sites like these, going to live shows, purchasing music and instructional materials.

monk · #26 08-26-2009, 05:33 PM

FatJeff & Derek....Well Said.

Regards,
monk

markyT · #27 08-27-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

...conveniently sidestepping the real issue...

UH??? got me that time

Orange Lazarus · #28 12-07-2011, 10:46 AM

Ownership is an illusion!

jmstritt · #29 12-07-2011, 11:22 AM

I hate to derail the buying vs. stealing debate here with talk about chords, but I would also reccomend Ted Greene's book Modern Chord Progressions. To me that book is more palatable, because it puts all of Ted's voicings into progressions with nice voicings. In a way you get more bang for your buck that way. Just my two cents. DZ publishing has the book available on Amazon for reasonable prices.

AmundLauritzen · #30 12-07-2011, 11:48 AM

Thread completely derailed. Poor guy inquired if the contents of said book was worth his money. Someone brought up piracy, then Ayn Rand was mentioned and boom: shitstorm.
Lets get back to the topic.

In my opinion, it is a wonderful book packed with more content than any mortal will be able to digest throughout a lifetime(except Ted, but he was something else). As Beaumont said, it is a reference book because working through it from beginning to end would be overwhelming. There are pages upon pages of chords and inversions. There are chapters where he speaks of chord progressions more than voicings, and this is where the juicy stuff is to be found IMO. This will get you into his mindset and allow you to assimilate some of his tastes in extensions , alterations, substitutions etc. There's a lot on the blues in several different idioms.

Calling it a jazz guitar chord book would be inappropriate. It will give you the tools to tackle any style.
Be advised, that there is a lot of work required on your part. You will get the voicings and inversions, and thousands of them. But you have to take the time to play them, listen to what they imply and develop your own voice leading style.
Even though the book has some practical examples, I'd say it'd be even better if these were related to the voicings and inversions in question and not separate chapters.

In any case, you'll get your moneys worth because there is so much to get from the book.
I am not familiar with his other books, but Chord Chemistry sets the bar high when it comes to getting your moneys worth.