#ALittleThunder Guitar Pickup: #ALTbass

Yes! I'm finally checking in on this blog after nearly a year. Of course, Chord du Jour has been active on Instagram during that time. I'll try to post a blurb here as often as I can.

During my absence from this blog, I have been jamming with a pickup called A Little Thunder, installed in my Gibson-scale guitar manufactured by Fender. (Perhaps, in the future, I might write a quick post about choosing a guitar to your own preferences.)

In the latter-20th Century, there was a rock band -- a duo, really -- called Local H, and they didn't have a bass player. Singer/guitarist Scott Lucas' friend modified Lucas' guitar and placed a bass pickup under the Low E and A strings, and output that signal through an octave pedal to provide the bass sound, in addition to the guitar sound.

A Little Thunder is basically the sleek, 21st century version of the Scott Lucas' improvisation. Invented by guitarist Andy Alt, the ALT pickup's octave effect is built-in, and there is a battery that can be charged with a USB cable. I can go on and on about the various features of the pickup, but it is better to listen to some samples for yourself.

Throughout the summer and to this day, I have been posting 15-second live, one take, one-man band performances featuring A Little Thunder on Instagram -- hashtag ALTbass.

Until the next post! Keep jamming!

NEW! Jam Session 212m + F Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is F major for the guitar, on the 8th fret:

Chords for Jam Session 212m:  F Ab Bb F



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     
     F                     Ab                   Bb
E  |-8-------------------|-4------------------|-6-------------------|
B  |-10------------------|-4------------------|-6-------------------|
G  |-10------------------|-5------------------|-7-------------------|
D  |-10------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
A  |-8-------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
E  |---------------------|-4------------------|-6-------------------|

     F
E  |-8-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-8-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Bass

     
     F                     Ab                   Bb
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-1-----------1--1----|-4----------4--4----|-6-----------6--6----|

     F
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-1-----------1--1----|--------------------|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  When you're jamming along to our Jam Sessions, be sure to find other people (one or more) with whom to jam!  There is a sort of synergy of learning (in a satisfying, edifying sense) for you and your jamming partner(s).  Heck, if it goes really great, you all can form a band.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Bb Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 112h

The Chord of the Day is Bb major for the guitar, on the 6th fret:

Chords for Jam Session 112h:  F C G Bb F C G



Jam Session Notes:  Check out the original show notes here.

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  If you're recording on a computer, make sure you have lots of hard drive space (preferably a dedicated, non-system drive), lots of RAM, fast processor(s)/(cores), a stable operating system, (mostly) bug-free recording software, and a compatible hardware interface (USB or FireWire or fancy card[s] you have to install).  Unless it is built to your custom specifications, you don't want to trust your computer's default sound card.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

NEW! Jam Session 210m + Eb Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is Eb for guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 210m:  Eb Cm Db Ab Eb Cm Db



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     Eb                    Cm                   Db

E  |-6-------------------|-3------------------|-4-------------------|
B  |-8-------------------|-4------------------|-6-------------------|
G  |-8-------------------|-5------------------|-6-------------------|
D  |-8-------------------|-5------------------|-6-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-3------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Ab                    Eb                   Cm

E  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|-3-------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-8------------------|-4-------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|-8------------------|-5-------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-8------------------|-5-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-3-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

     Db                    Db

E  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
B  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
G  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     Eb                    Cm                   Db

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---3-4-6-------------|
A  |---6-----------------|-6------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |-6-------------------|---8----------------|---------------------|

     Ab                    Eb                   Cm

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|-5------------------|----------8-10-------|
A  |---3-4-6-------------|---6----------------|---6-8-10------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|-8-------------------|

     Db                    Db                   

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |------------11-------|-11-9-8-6-----------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-9-------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  Playing music should be fun.  Play bum notes.  Make mistakes.  But most of all, learn from your mistakes.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

NEW! Jam Session 209n + G#m Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is G#m for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 209n:  G#m E7 (x3) B C#



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     G#m                   E7                  (repeat three times)

E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-3------------------|---------------------|
G  |-4-------------------|-1------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-2------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|

     B                     C#

E  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
G  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
D  |-4-------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|
A  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Bass

     G#                    E7                  (repeat three times)

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|

     B                     C#
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  Try it with a key of B harmonica.  G# minor is the relative minor of B, after all.



Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Ab Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 110i

The Chord of the Day is Ab major for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 110i:  Eb Bb Db Ab



Jam Session Notes:  Check out the original show notes here.

Guitar

     Eb                    Bb                   Db

E  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------------|
B  |-8-------------------|-6------------------|-6-------------------|
G  |-8-------------------|-7------------------|-6-------------------|
D  |-8-------------------|-8------------------|-6-------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-8------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |---------------------|-6------------------|---------------------|

     Ab
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|


Bass


     Eb                    Bb                   Db
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|-1------------------|-4-------------------|
D  |-1-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|




     Ab
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  These random equipment deals from Musician's Friend aren't just for musicians in the U.S.  They also ship to Canada.  I don't know about other countries.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic! Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

NEW! Jam Session 209m + Ab Major Pentatonic Scale (Guitar)

The Scale of the Day is Ab major pentatonic for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 209m:  Ab Eb+ Fm Db Dbsus2



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     Ab                    Eb+                  Fm

E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|-8-------------------|
B  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|-9-------------------|
G  |-5-------------------|-4------------------|-10------------------|
D  |-6-------------------|-5------------------|-10------------------|
A  |-6-------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

     Db        Dbsus2 Db
E  |-4---------4------4--|--------------------|---------------------|
B  |-6---------4------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
G  |-6---------6------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-6---------6------6--|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4---------4------4--|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     Ab                    Eb+                  Fm

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|----6----------------|
A  |---------------------|-6------------------|-8-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|----7---------------|---------------------|

     
     Db        Dbsus2 Db
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  If you play an harmonica while you're playing another instrument, you'll be like a folksy troubadour playing two instruments simultaneously.  Remember to use an harmonica holder.  (Ryan used an Ab harmonica for this Jam Session.)



Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Dbm Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 109j

The Chord of the Day is Dbm for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 109j:  Ab Fm Db Dbm



Jam Session Notes

Guitar in half-step down tuning

     Ab (two bars)         Fm (two bars)        Db (two bars)

Eb |-5-------------------|-9------------------|-10------------------|
Bb |-5-------------------|-10-----------------|-10------------------|
Gb |-6-------------------|-11-----------------|-11------------------|
Db |-7-------------------|-11-----------------|-12------------------|
Ab |-7-------------------|-9------------------|-12------------------|
Eb |-5-------------------|--------------------|-10------------------|

     Dbm (two bars)         

Eb |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Bb |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Gb |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Db |-12------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Ab |-12------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Eb |-10------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Bass

     Ab (two bars)         Fm (two bars)        Db (two bars)

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|-1------------------|---------------------|

     
     Dbm (two bars) 

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |-2-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  More often than not, daily deals from online retailers might not be your cup of tea.  Sometimes, though, it could be for something useful and at a deep bargain.  AmazonMP3 daily deals for albums, for example, are usually simple decisions to make, since they don't cost that much.  You can buy it if you're somewhat interested in buying new music for less, or you can pass.  When it comes to gear in the tens or hundreds (or more) of dollars, on the other hand, choose wisely.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

NEW! Jam Session 208n + C# Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is C# major for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 208n:  C# F# B E F#



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     C#          F#        B           E F#

E  |-4-----------2-------|-2-------------2----|---------------------|
B  |-6-----------2-------|-4-------------2----|---------------------|
G  |-6-----------3-------|-4-------------3----|---------------------|
D  |-6-----------4-------|-4-------------4----|---------------------|
A  |-4-----------4-------|-2-------------4----|---------------------|
E  |-------------2-------|-------------0-2----|---------------------|

Bass

     C#          F#        B           E F#

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4----4--4-----------|-2----2--2----------|---------------------|
E  |-------------0-2-0---|-------------0-2-0--|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  Many times it's economical and useful to buy used gear, but be sure to try 'em out to make sure the equipment works fine.  The same is true for new gear, since you might get a lemon.  Make sure the retailer has a good return policy, just in case.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Db Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 109h

The Chord of the Day is Db major for the guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 109h:  Ab Eb Db



Jam Session Notes - see original show notes here.

Guitar in half-step down tuning (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb).

     Ab5 Ab6 Ab7 Ab6       Eb5 Eb6 Eb7 Eb6     (Db5 Db6 Db7 Db6 x2)
Eb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Bb |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
Gb |---------------------|--------------------|-2-2-4-2-5-2-4-2-----|
Db |-2-2-4-2-5-2-4-2-----|--------------------|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-----|
Ab |-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-----|-2-2-4-2-5-2-4-2----|---------------------|
Eb |---------------------|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----|---------------------|

Bass in standard tuning (E A D G).

     Ab5 Ab6 Ab7 Ab6       Eb5 Eb6 Eb7 Eb6     (Db5 Db6 Db7 Db6 x2)
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|-6------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  Write down or otherwise record your riff/lick/chord progression ideas!

Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

Gb Chord (Guitar) + Jam Session 108k

The Chord of the Day is Gb major for guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 108k:  Db Gb Db Ab



Jam Session Notes:  See original notes here.

Guitar

    Db                    Gb                   Db 
E |-9-------------------|-9------------------|-9-------------------|
B |-9-------------------|-11-----------------|-9-------------------|
G |-10------------------|-11-----------------|-10------------------|
D |-11------------------|-11-----------------|-11------------------|
A |-11------------------|-9------------------|-11------------------|
E |-9-------------------|--------------------|-9-------------------|

    Ab 
E |-11------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
B |-13------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
G |-13------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D |-13------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A |-11------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     Db                    Gb                   Db

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|--------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |---------------------|-2------------------|---------------------|

     Ab
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-------------------|--------------------|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  When you buy equipment, be sure to shop around for the best deal possible.  The Internet can be your friend, as well as driving from music store to music store.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!

NEW! Jam Session 207n + F#m Chord (Guitar)

The Chord of the Day is F#m for guitar:

Chords for Jam Session 207n:  F#m B F#m E F#m B A E



Jam Session Notes

Guitar

     F#m                   B                    F#m

E  |-2-------------------|-2------------------|-2-------------------|
B  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|-2-------------------|
G  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|-2-------------------|
D  |-4-------------------|-4------------------|-4-------------------|
A  |-4-------------------|-2------------------|-4-------------------|
E  |-2-------------------|--------------------|-2-------------------|

     E                     F#m                  B
E  |-0-------------------|-2------------------|-2-------------------|
B  |-0-------------------|-2------------------|-4-------------------|
G  |-1-------------------|-2------------------|-4-------------------|
D  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|-4-------------------|
A  |-2-------------------|-4------------------|-2-------------------|
E  |-0-------------------|-2------------------|---------------------| 

     A                     E
E  |-0-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
B  |-2-------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|
G  |-2-------------------|-1------------------|---------------------|
D  |-2-------------------|-2------------------|---------------------|
A  |-0-------------------|-2------------------|---------------------|
E  |---------------------|-0------------------|---------------------|

Bass

     F#m                   B                    F#m

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-2-2-0-2-0-2-2-0-2-0-|-2-2-0-2-0-2-2-0-2-0|-2-2-0-2-0-2-2-0-2-0-|

     
     E                     F#m                  B

G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-4-4-0-4-0-4-4-0-4-0-|-2-2-0-2-0-2-2-0-2-0|-2-2-0-2-0-2-2-0-2-0-|

     A                     E
G  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
D  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
A  |---------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
E  |-5-5-0-5-0-5-5-0-5-0-|-4-4-0-4-0-4-4-0-4-0|---------------------| 

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  Work with a drummer (or a drum machine or software) to explore various grooves and rhythms.




Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic! Podcast Subscribers: If these jam session notes look jumbled, please visit http://www.chorddujour.com - Thanks!