A very good musician and me were discussing ad lib. I was fairly young, around 28 at the time. We were on the subject because I admired how he came up with the things he did and how he arrived at his ideas. In the course of picking his brain he made a statement that has stuck in my head to this day. In fact I have heard it mentioned several times since then when discussing the art of presenting your music to others. I am not a great technician in my playing but with the idea of these three little words always in mind, I never fail to please the people who I play for. The words? ‘Chords Are Everything.’

Chords ARE everything! How you understand them and use them will lift you above the average and even give you an edge over some of the more skillful players.

Chuck, I also admire your skill in putting your thoughts into words. This skill is about as important to communication as chords are to music presentation. The quality of things discussed on this forum never seems to end and is always on a higher level than the others. Guys, and gals, I want to thank you all for the high standards you have set and your interest in music making. I really, and I mean really really enjoy the subject matter presented and discussed here. Thanks again.

Grandpa Doug