Choosing simple chords from complex chords

[c4quad]

Hi all, I'm not sure I'm asking this properly, but as I look at chords from this sight, I have trouble playing every note in the chord so what should I play out of them. I can't always find the sound I need. A simple example is C major second inversion. I can't play it all so usually playing the G-C gives me the sound I'm looking. I have trouble finding the sound in bigger chords. I can't move my fingers & that's why I have trouble. Here's a link to explain that & there's a video of me playing a little ways down that link. It'll help clear it up. http://forums.learngospelmusic.com/index.php/topic,17457.0.html I can play triads with the right now, still in C, but none the less, improvement. Thanks to this site & those who helped, I can play a lot more & can play some songs by ear or at least get close. Theory helps a lot with that. I appreciate any advice. God bless.

[c4quad]

I forgot the website has changed. The video may not be available so if you would like to see it I'll redo it. The link is still there though.

[T-Block]

A C major second inversion chord shouldn't be that hard to play at all, cuz it's just 3 notes:  G-C-E 

You must be talking about the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th type chords.  Sometimes, we have to use 2 hands to play all the notes, or eliminate some notes, or double some notes, etc.  Any way that is comfortable for you and gives you a good sound is acceptable.  For example, here is an Eb 13th chord:  Eb / Db-G-C-Eb  If you can't play the RH portion with one hand, just play it with 2 hands like this:  Eb-Db / G-C-Eb  You see that?  Same chord, same notes, same sound, but different ways of playing it.

Here are some links that can help you in chording better:

Fingerings for basic chords: http://www.musicianslearningcenter.com/music/viewtopic.php?t=7

Basic Chords Practice: http://www.musicianslearningcenter.com/music/viewtopic.php?t=379&sid=4e4ec10b093cd08f9ffd4332b7d002e0

Another thing you can do is send us some chords you are having trouble playing, and we can give you a better way to play it.  Holla!!!

[MikaSue]

T Block that is aweome advice.

I have small hands so I understand his dilemna.

How do you decide which notes to eliminate?

[T-Block]

Depends on the chord.  There are certain chords that in order for them to be a true __ chord, you must play certain members.  For example, a fully diminished chord must contain 1-b3-b5-bb7 in order to be called fully diminished.  Anything more or less and you don't have a fully diminished chord.

On the other hand, there are chords where even if you omit a note, it is still considered a ___ chord.  For example, the dominant 7th chord is made of 1-3-5-b7.  The notes that must be played are 1-3-b7.  The 5th may be omitted and you will still have a dominant 7th chord.  Example:

C dominiant 7th chord (C7) = C-E-G-Bb 
C / E-G-Bb-C

Let's take out the G: 

C / E-Bb-C

Even without the G, you still have that C7 sound, so this is also considered to be a C7 chord.  You will have to give me some specific chords in order for me to tell you what you need to play and what you can omit.

[MikaSue]

Thanks TBlock.

[c4quad]

Thanks T-Block. I always get good advice from you. Even reading your post to others I've learned a lot. If you don't mind, I'll post a video showing how I have to play & maybe you can give me some pointers. Like I said, I can't move my fingers so I'm looking for all the help I can get.

[T-Block]

You're very welcome!!!