The British Steelies Society

On the bridge part of an old dance band standard "Blue Moon" and if your playing in the key of D you get to a point where there is a minor chord that I play strings 4/5/6 on the 11th fret with E lever lowered before moving up to the 13th fret for the C7. But the chord in question I used to play on the 8th fret same strings with B and C pedals down and as there seems one different note in that grip to my one remaining good ear and it does not seem to fit quite so well .
So, my question is, What is the difference ? Can you get away with it? Is near enough good enough in this instance?
sorry that's 3 questions.....




Baz, you know I respect your knowledge and "Due diligence" but could you limit your answer to one sheet of A4 to cope with my attention span please?
this for me is a hard row to hoe......

If it sounds good that's what it it.

The minor chord at the 11th fret with E's lowered is Gm. Quite a nice chord in the key of D if that's what you're after. 8th fret same strings with B+C is Dm, so a different chord altogether and probably not the one you're after. You can play Gm at 6th fret with A pedal, or at 1st or 13th with B+C.
Dm has the notes D F and A
Gm has G Bb and D. That's the difference.

Hope that helps a bit JD...

Matt thank you for your input. I would guess not many on here are old enough to remember the old dance band standards that I still love to play but that particular toon had a bridge part that seemed to fox a lot of would be muso's . here is the original from 1936 .......



you can find a later version by the "The Marcels" where the bridge is butchered IMHO.
It appears to change key in the bridge and the secret seems to be knowing the sequence that brings you back to the key you played the verse in (if that makes any sense?), I am happy with the chords I now have for it as they sound right to me now but it sure holds you back when you don't have the theory.....

Theory lessons are available with yours truly. I have condensed it down to a real simple formula. Obviously you can take it as far as you like but having an understanding of the basics are absolutely essential in my eyes, especially if you are learning tunes on a session or a gig on the fly

A very typical modulation in Blue Mood, Similar to Beyond the Sea and MANY tunes of that ilk. Not playing E9th I cant help you with positions but I can tell you the correct chords in whatever key you wish. 07800-646-645.. 24/7 text or voice. If you have the lyrics of the song that would make explaining the changes so much easier. The section in question is " I heard someone whisper please adore me, and when I looked the moon had turned to Gold". ?
Gm7-C7-F-A-E7-A7... (with intermediates.)

Thanks guys please excuse the shaky clams in the video I am too busy trying to explain my question than watch my positioning.




Baz, am I playing "Gm7-C7-F-A-E7-A7... (with intermediates.)" ?

John the second section where you play the Gm chord at fret 11 and the C7th at 13 is correct, think of it like this: You are no longer in D, you are now in the key of F for a little while, so F related chords are the order of the day Gm7 (Bb6) and C7 and F; THEN you get back to D by playing A (D's dominant. The five chord), E7 (the double dominant or two chord) and then A7th (D's 5 chord)

Dont know much music theory either John but the 11th fret chord sounds right to me

And in that sequence, I'm hearing a movement, one semitone at a time, from F back down to D?

I'm now thinking "Ok, so how does it get into F in the first place?" I think I hear it go from D to D minor - in which case the F makes perfect sense, because Dm is the relative minor for F. Basil, am I getting close here?