Eric Benet - Sometimes I Cry chords?

[Vintage]

I have less than 2 days to learn Sometimes I Cry by Eric Benet (there's an accent on the 2nd e, pronounced Er-ick Ben-eh).

YouTube Video

So far, I've gotten:

Dm, F#, and G# (not sure if the sharp chords are maj or min)

Our keyboard player said it switches key.

Help with the chords would be appreciated.

[M-ster]

Here (I'm counting this in 6/8):

- intro -
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       ||
 
- verse -
||: Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    C-7        | D-7       | G-7(11)     | Abmaj7  G7   |
    C-7        | D-7       | Ebmaj7 C7/E | Eb/F  E7(#9) ||
 
- chorus -
    Ebmaj7(9)  | D-7       | C-7(11)     | F7sus E7(#9) |
    Ebmaj7(9)  | D-7       | C-7(11)     | F7sus       :||
 
- bridge -
    Gbmaj7     | Dbmaj7(9) | Abmaj7      | Ebmaj7(9)    |
    Bbmaj7     | Fmaj7(9)  | F/G         | F/G          ||
 
    (vamp out on chorus changes)
 
Note that the C7/E in bar 15 of the verse only happens on the 2nd verse.
 

May I suggest:

1) Assess your time signature - I assumed this one to be in 6/8, given the triple meter (1-2-3, 1-2-3 feel) and the fact that the chord changes are typically every 6 counts.

2) Write down the note that the bassist is playing on the downbeat ("1") of each measure.

3) Try to assess the quality of each chord change, relative to the notes that the bassist is playing.

If you will *at least* do #s 1 and 2, and *try* to do #3, I (or someone here) will help you with the rest of #3.

But, IMHO, you need to dig in a little more before you make these requests. You're missing your opportunity to develop your craft.

[jeffstritt]

My R&B band played that song like 2 times and quit doing it 'cause the singer couldn't hang with it. Definitely a, "Less is more" song as far as the guitar part.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by M-ster

...

This is really helpful.

I had no idea there were that many chords. We have 2 other guitarists trying to figure it out.
Ok, I see now that the hi-hat gives out the time signature. It's a slow tempo, so can't I think of it as 3/4?
2 measures of the chord, then change.

The chords are all played on the G, B, and e strings right?

Would've tried harder, had it not been for the rushed schedule. Had to learn 11 other songs, this is the hardest one.

Originally Posted by jeffstritt

My R&B band played that song like 2 times and quit doing it 'cause the singer couldn't hang with it. Definitely a, "Less is more" song as far as the guitar part.

Oh, did you have to change key for the singer? We have 2 practices for each singer in
the contest, the singer in this song missed the first practice and the second one is in 2 days, which is why I need the chords. We've already had to change the key for a male singer.

[M-ster]

Originally Posted by Vintage

This is really helpful.

You're quite welcome!

[jeffstritt]

We diid change the ke a few times to try and make it work, but that is a pretty demanding song for a singer. If you get a singer that can really pull it of... keep them!

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by M-ster

You're quite welcome!

It sounds great.

Originally Posted by jeffstritt

We diid change the ke a few times to try and make it work, but that is a pretty demanding song for a singer. If you get a singer that can really pull it of... keep them!

Wow. It's extremely demanding. Those are some high notes.

[Vintage]

M-ster,

I went back through the song a few times and it sounds like I could
get away with playing it like this:

- intro -
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       ||
 
- verse -
||: Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       ||

- chorus -
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)       |
    Bbmaj7     | D-7       | C-7         | F7(b9)     :||

 
- bridge -
    Gbmaj7     | Dbmaj7(9) | Abmaj7      | Ebmaj7(9)    |
    Bbmaj7     | Fmaj7(9)  | F/G         | F/G          ||
 

We have a bassist, 2 keyboards (one plays synth/strings), and
3 guitarists (including myself). It has to be easy because the
other 2 guitarists aren't as experienced.

[M-ster]

Absolutely no offense intended, Vintage; but unless everyone is interpretting the changes so loosely that it no longer matters ... well ...

I already worked up the chart for you. Are you communicating to us that you (or the entire band, perhaps) can't cut this track, as is?

I realize that everyone is at a different point on their musical path, but I would advise that you not play "over your head." If a piece is too demanding, woodshed it, certainly, but select something simpler to perform publicly until you are up to it.

Just MHO.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by M-ster

Absolutely no offense intended, Vintage; but unless everyone is interpretting the changes so loosely that it no longer matters ... well ...

I already worked up the chart for you. Are you communicating to us that you (or the entire band, perhaps) can't cut this track, as is?

I realize that everyone is at a different point on their musical path, but I would advise that you not play "over your head." If a piece is too demanding, woodshed it, certainly, but select something simpler to perform publicly until you are up to it.

Just MHO.

No one in our "band" can play it, except the keyboardist and drummer.
And the guy waits until his 2nd rehearsal to say "I can't sing it in this
key..." So, we have to change it to C or D, I can't remember..

I see what you are saying, but we don't pick the songs. The guest singers
pick the song they wish to sing (it's sort of a contest for our school).
He can't even remember the lyrics...The only way he could save himself and
our band some embarrassment is by dropping out of the event...or picking
an easier song..

[Soco]

[Jazzpunk]

I met Eric Benet years ago when I was interning at a studio here in L.A. Very cool guy!