OK - now how to play this? (For R&B players)

[Hedgehog_SBM]

Hi All,

Please forgive the newbie question, but you were so helpful on the last one asked...

Here's a simple R&B swing chord progression - played at about 135 BBM. As I'm just learning, although this uses open strings and so is probably easiest, I'm tripping up a bit when crossing strings. I'm actually finding it easier to play higher on the fretboard (using more fretting fingers with less crossing of strings for the plucking hand). The transition from E7 or A7 to B7 then requires more hand movement, but at least at the moment it's a bit easier.

How would you play this? Also - can you lend advice on:

1) Should I stick with playing higher on the fretboard?, or
2) Should I play it as shown, and use it as practice for crossing strings?
3) ...or practice BOTH ways?

RSVP, and thanks in advance,

Hedgehog

E7 A7
G|-----------------|-----------------|---------0-0-2-2-|---------0-0-2-2-|
D|---------0-0-2-2-|---------0-0-2-2-|-----2-2---------|-----2-2---------|
A|-----2-2---------|-----2-2---------|-0-0-------------|-0-0-------------|
E|-0-0-------------|-0-0-------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E7 B7 A7
G|-----------------|-----------------|---------2-2-4-4-|---------0-0-2-2-|
D|---------0-0-2-2-|---------0-0-2-2-|-----4-4---------|-----2-2---------|
A|-----2-2---------|-----2-2---------|-2-2-------------|-0-0-------------|
E|-0-0-------------|-0-0-------------|-----------------|-----------------|

B7 A7
G|---------2-2-4-4-|---------0-0-2-2-|
D|-----4-4---------|-----2-2---------|
A|-2-2-------------|-0-0-------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|

[Fergie Fulton]

One of the standard progressions used in Blues means you should learn it in E, F, G, A, B, C, and D for starters. Learn it in open positions, which means using open string, as in E ,A, D, G, as well as closed positions like F,G,B,C,D, and of course combinations of the two.
Also learn it up as you have been doing, EE,BB,DD,EE box pattern, but also learn in down ( backwards if you will, the first EE is on the lower string) EE,EE,DD,BB.........so really just learn it in all keys and positions.........the F and Bb will be a food work out for the hands because it is next to the nut so the stretches and spans will be at there longest.

You can add inflections to it by substituting double notes for a single note of the same time value as the two, again the first note is a good one to substitute to get the feel. Then after that you will hear it in lots of songs and used in many many situations in its various forms.

[Skitch it!]

+1 Fergies post, learn it in all keys and as many different fingering/string combinations as you can.

If I was playing the example, I would play it in the middle of the neck for the extra range, easier muting, softer tension, less string crossing, fuller tone.

Bar 1+2: Open E - Pinky 7th fret E string - Index 5th A string - Pinky 7th A string.

Bar 3+4: Same fingering pattern, move up to Open string A root.

Bar 5+6: Same fingering pattern using Open E string root.

Bar 7: (change to B), two positions:

Pinky 7th fret E string - Index 4th fret D string - Pinky 7th fret D string - Pinky 4th G string or:

Shift to closed hand position - Index 7th fret E string - Pinky 9th A string - Index 7th D string - Pinky 9th D string,

For bar 8 I would use the same fingering/strings as bar 3+4, open string A transition, no sliding patterns around.

Bars 9 and 10 fingerings above.

[Hedgehog_SBM]

Thanks to all who have posted. Your suggestions have really helped me get a firm handle on playing this fundamental progression.

[Clef_de_fa]

I'll play it like it is written, it is a very simple blues pattern.

[addylewis]

Originally Posted by Clef_de_fa

I'll play it like it is written, it is a very simple blues pattern.

+1...I'm not going to say its stupidly simple, but its very similar to my style of playing with whatever type of band I'm in

[BassmanSBK]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_SBM

Thanks to all who have posted. Your suggestions have really helped me get a firm handle on playing this fundamental progression.

In addition to all the great variations suggested, let me add one more. I find that this makes simple blues progressions pop out:

Instead of moving up for the IV (A) and V (B) chords, move down. For example, play the I (E) chord on the A string (7th fret), but play the IV (A) and V (B) chords on the E string (5th and 7th frets).

Once you get used to "descending" blues forms (playing the IV and V chord below the I chord), you will begin to see the possibility of adding walking runs to and from the I, to spice up the lick-based pattern you play over the I chord.