Thursday, November 13, 2014

Chord "Deux" Jour Challenge: Dmaj7 and F#m7

If you've been tuning in, you know the drill:  Challenge! Two chords. Daily. Missed any days? Go here. Geronimo!

Each chord "map" attempts to appeal to both beginners and intermediate/advanced guitarists and keyboardists. Simple chord voicings for beginners are provided with the following finger system:

1 index finger
2 middle finger
3 ring finger
4 little finger
o play open string
x do not play open string
( bar one finger over more than one string
T that rare occasion that I recommend you use your thumb to fret a note

Today's first chord is D major (major) 7th, or Dmaj7:


Guitarists, it's shaped like the A chord, but on different strings.

Keyboardists, D-F#-A-C# spell the chord. It's a D, it's an F#m, it's Superman! Wait, no, it's F#m7.

Next up is F-sharp minor (minor) 7th, or F#m7:


Guitarists, this particular chord shape will test your index finger barring abilities.

Keyboardists, mash up the F#m (F#-A-C#) with the A (A-C#-E), and what do you get? A6. And F#m7.

If you have an iPad with the GarageBand app, you can use the USB Camera Adapter to connect a USB-enabled MIDI controller keyboard to the iPad. (Or so they say ... no guarantees, though.) Tickling the (artificial) ivories tends to be a more satisfying experience than tapping on glass to create music.

Anyhow, potentially-compensated product recommendations aside: Two more tomorrow! Cheers!

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