Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar Chord Problem

[guitar freek]

Chords D13b5b9 and G Major7 on lesson 1 item 6 & 7. I just cannot finger.

suggestions would be appreciated.

[brwnhornet59]

D13b5b9/Gmaj7

Index 6th string, middle 3rd string, ring finger 5th string and pinky barring both 2nd and first strings.

Go the same shape with the Gmaj7 1/2 step down, make sure the pinky stays a 1/2 step up.

[Dad3353]

...suggestions would be appreciated.

Good evening, guitar freek...
You are not the first (and perhaps not the last...) to stumble on this. Perhaps it would help to play these chords further up the neck at first, and gradually move down as the fingers get used to these stretches (as they surely will, and quite rapidly...). Whatever you do, don't force things (much...).
Hope this helps...

[brwnhornet59]

Look at the shape of the D13b5b9. Notice that the shape looks like an Ab7#9? Functionally it is the same. Does that help seeing a more familiar chord?

[lindydanny]

That one might just take a while. Keep at it and try as many different combinations of fingerings on it until you find the one that fits. Then keep stretching... You'll get it eventually. (I finally got it after a while and I have medium sized hands for a guitarist.)

~DB

[MarkRhodes]

Those chords take a while to get. Keep at it until you do. As others have suggested, try them further up the neck and gradually work your way back down. If you keep at it, in a few months you'll be amazed that there was a time you *couldn't* easily make those changes. It's worth the effort.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

That D13b5b9 -> GMaj7 is Mickey Baker's "money shot". I haven't look at it in years and years; does Mickey ever explain b5 substitutions?

[MarkRhodes]

That D13b5b9 -> GMaj7 is Mickey Baker's "money shot". I haven't look at it in years and years; does Mickey ever explain b5 substitutions?

No, he doesn't. The main thing is to learn the chords and how to connect them. I don't think knowing the theory of b5 subs would help at this stage.

[brwnhornet59]

He could get away with playing the chords in an abbr form 4th-1st string and using his thumb for the root, or use the 4th string as his root until he gets a better handle on the full structure. This way he can use the chords now as he learns. I am not an advocate if using the thumb unless absolutely necessary.

[Drumbler]

Chords D13b5b9 and G Major7 on lesson 1 item 6 & 7. I just cannot finger.

suggestions would be appreciated.

I do this instead because I have a crooked pinkie. Some people get stuck on the first lesson and quit because of this chord. Move on. It's not that important.

3 = index
5 = middle
7's = pinkie




-----7----------------------------------------
-----7----------------------------------------
-----7----------------------------------------
-----x----------------------------------------
-----5----------------------------------------
-----3----------------------------------------

[fep]

Chords D13b5b9 and G Major7 on lesson 1 item 6 & 7. I just cannot finger.

suggestions would be appreciated.

Yeah, +1 to practicing it up higher on the neck.

Until you can get those shapes under your fingers here are a couple of easier substitutes that have the same function:


D7b5b9(no root) to Gmaj7


---------------------------------------------
---4----3--------------------------------------
---5----4--------------------------------------
---4----4--------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---4----3--------------------------------------




D7b5(no root) to Gmaj7


---------------------------------------------
---3----3--------------------------------------
---5----4--------------------------------------
---4----4--------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---4----3--------------------------------------



Note:

D7b5b9(no root) = Ab7

D7b5(no root) = Ab7b5

[brwnhornet59]

Those are both great choice's. Right on Fep!

[tommygun1964]

I'm a girl and I can do it! Just sayin' ... don't give up. It'll come to you.

[Gilpy]

For both of those chords, an easy way for me to learn them was to just finger a good ol' rock & roll seventh bar chord and then reach out with my pinkie to grab the top notes. Playing it that way puts your hand in the right position. Of course, you don't need to hold all the strings down with your first finger. Just position your hand as if you were going to. Keeping that first finger flat as opposed to arched makes the stretch easier.

At least that's what worked for me.

[pingu]

Don't get discouraged by those lesson one chords ..........

I don't think he should've put that big Gmaj7 stretch chord in there
I mean , how often does that chord get used anyway ??

your not exactly gonna play time on it are you ?

[Gilpy]

Don't get discouraged by those lesson one chords ..........

I don't think he should've put that big Gmaj7 stretch chord in there
I mean , how often does that chord get used anyway ??

your not exactly gonna play time on it are you ?

I use it all the time! Those big chords are useful on intros and endings when playing chord-melody style. But I agree...it's a tough one for the very first lesson!

[Gilpy]

...

[tommygun1964]

It's beautiful though. Good on a ballad maybe.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

That GMaj7 is not all that and a bag of chips. I don't like the doubled third.

[Kojo27]

I have small hands and that Maj7 chord was probably a big reason I gave up the first time. I hadn't been playing guitar very long and had no teacher, and didn't understand that being able to grab particular fingerings of chords is not even that important. There's always a workaround.

Years later, I still can't (and won't ever be able to) play that major 7 fingering at G, Gb and F. I simply don't have enough hand.

[tommygun1964]

For both of those chords, an easy way for me to learn them was to just finger a good ol' rock & roll seventh bar chord and then reach out with my pinkie to grab the top notes. Playing it that way puts your hand in the right position. Of course, you don't need to hold all the strings down with your first finger. Just position your hand as if you were going to. Keeping that first finger flat as opposed to arched makes the stretch easier.

At least that's what worked for me.

That's how I see it too, and I agree, it is not a necessary chord. It's pretty, but there are plenty other ways to play a major seventh. It would be shame to miss out on the joys of mickey Baker because of one chord!

[pingu]

I have small hands and that Maj7 chord was probably a big reason I gave up the first time. I hadn't been playing guitar very long and had no teacher, and didn't understand that being able to grab particular fingerings of chords is not even that important. There's always a workaround.

Years later, I still can't (and won't ever be able to) play that major 7 fingering at G, Gb and F. I simply don't have enough hand.

Right on brother and now you know it doesn't matter
But what tragedy that many will refuse at the first hurdle (ie give up !)
just cos of that one voicing

I really love close voicings like these minor 2nd type things

3 Ist string
3
3
7
x
x

for me they're a bitch to play but I can grab this
fairly reliably which has the dissonance factor

x
x
3
7
x
x

So there's always a workround
and there's no one right way to play
our limitations can/should be turned to our advantage
It'd be really boring if we all played the same way !