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!

NEW! Jam Session 204o + A Minor Scale (Piano)

The Scale of the Day is A minor for piano:

Chords for Jam Session 204o:  Am G F G; C Dm



Jam Session Notes:  Ryan plays piano virtual instrument with a MIDI keyboard; Jon plays violin virtual instrument on a MIDI keyboard.

Am chord = A C E notes
G chord = G B D notes
F chord = F A C notes
C chord = C E G notes
Dm chord = D F A notes

Jam Session Serving Suggestions:  You can use a MIDI controller (and digital audio workstation) or synthesizer to play any number of instruments, or you can get the real thing.  Either way...have fun!



Tweet to us @DeRamosMusic!

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

Get a 25 Key MIDI Controller (Keyboard, Recording)

Owning both a laptop and a desktop computer is beneficial if you travel a lot, but still need the benefit of having a beast of a system at home. (Which one do you bring on the road?) Similarly, owning both a "studio-sized" keyboard/MIDI controller and a 25 Key MIDI controller will be useful.

So let's talk about the smaller one. If you already have a mid- to full-sized keyboard in your home/work studio, you needn't spend more than about $100 on your portable keyboard. You also probably won't need semi-weighted keys, unless you're really picky. It's just a good idea to have a travel songwriting studio because ideas don't care about geography. A company like M-Audio manufactures MIDI controllers, but be sure to do some research on the best prices and most reliability for the price. And be sure to look for coupon codes (remember the state of the U.S. economy these days...).

So, when you're on the road, living off hotel rooms, remember to bring that laptop and MIDI controller, loaded with similar software as your home system. Happy traveling, songwriting, and demo recording!