what's the 2nd chord...

[jeff_75]

in the old homeplace? #the guitar player swears it's a 7th, but it just doesn't sound right.

[ourgang]

Just play the C#

[Scotti Adams]

..ok..the song is in Bflat...the guitar player has to be capoed on the third fret and playing in the G position,,,the second chord is a D...which the guitar player would get by playing a B chord..or if you really want to be technical the second chord is a D7th so the guitar player would grab a B7th...hope this helps...

[ourgang]

Didn't the original post say that you were playing it in the key of A? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Scotti Adams]

..dont see nothin about any A chord....

[mandomood]

whatever key you play it in G, G#, A, Bb or even B for you girly singers (just kidding)...you would want to play it out of G 'position' when using a capo and the second chord would indeed be a B7....for guitar players only

just saw Tony Rice tonight with LRB...was a pretty good show and Tony was in better form than the last time I saw him. It was cool hearing some of those old tunes again with the fellas from LRB singing and doing a fine job at it.

[Scotti Adams]

..thanks for gettin my back Jason.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ourgang]

First of all Jeff_75's original post was something to the effect that he played the tune in A but that the C#7 did not sound right to him. A couple of minutes later he edited the original post to what you read now.

Secondly, I've never seen the original sheet music to the song, if there is such a thing, but you can almost bet that the B7 position is played on the guitar rather than a B simply out of convenience since it is easier than going up the neck and playing a closed B. Some guitar players only play the "B" note.

Thirdly, when you capo the guitar, everything changes. A G up two becomes A, a B up two becomes C#. When you capo up 1,2,3,4 or 5 frets a G is no longer a G, a C is no longer a C, etc., etc. For the benefit of those not capoing (the mandolin and bass), you should call the chord what it really is: G up two is A, C up two is D, D up two is E.

[Walter Newton]

The second chord is the 3 chord.

1 3 4 1 verse
1 1 5 5
1 3 4 1
1 5 1 1

5 5 1 1 chorus
2 2 5 5
1 3 4 1
1 5 1 1

[Mike Bunting]

It is the 3 chord but major instead of the expected minor.

[Walter Newton]

"It is the 3 chord but major instead of the expected minor."

Very true, same for the "2" chord in the "5-1-2-5" part of the chorus (which I guess should technically be thought of as a 1-4-5-1 modulation to the 5 chord).

[August Watters]

The second chord is a III chord, but major as stated above -- this creates tension in the second chord by introducing the #5 or the key -- which resolves to the 6 (which is the 3rd of the following IV chord). In other words, there's a secondary melodic line created by the first three chords:

Chords: I - III - IV
Melodic Line: #5 - #5 - 6

or in guitar-capo-talk:

Chords: G - B - C
Melodic Line: D - D# - E

This "secondary melody" is not part of the actual melody -- but you'll often hear the soloists play it, to outline the chord progression.

Not to be picky, but I'd argue that there is no modulation in the chorus -- 5-1-2-5 describes it pretty well, because the end of the chorus stills sounds like a V in the original key; there's no sense of resolution. Try this: play the chorus and stop after "why did they tear it down" -- kind of leaves you hanging, doesn't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

August W

[Scotti Adams]

.man this has turned into a major production...its a d7 no matter how you slice it...... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[GBG]

Somebody call Rodney Dillard and ask him what the chord is.

[mpeknox]

"man this has turned into a major production"

no matter what key you are doing it in on the guitar, capo at the appropriate fret and play a B7.

[Moose]

Mr. Hall : Thank you for "clearing-the-air'- In a "G" fingering position - (as most of us hillbilly's know it) - Capo-ing-up - using afermentioned "G" - PLAY A B7th relative to THAT "G" - THEN on to the "C"(or 4) chord! - Phew!## - I'm 'outta here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Scotti Adams]

..just play this chord with the capo on the third fret and be done with it..its sooooo simple http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Moose]

"We few.., we happy few"... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Scotti Adams]

hey..whats the first chord in Rocky Top??? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Moose]

Or better yet..., what's the chord progression for the chorus..!!?? - Hey!! - that's absolutely ALL for me today!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[pickinpox]

Good reason for callin' the numbers instead of actual chord names.......and I wanna do it in E flat!

[Moose]

Now.., now... ; make it easy on yerself!! - http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Andrew Reckhart]

Crazy hard..... This Bluegrass is tough music!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

What a fiasco!