What the heck is that strange chord in there? This midi I have...

Gm, Cm etc.
then it goes to like a bridge...
Cm - Gm - Cm - Gm
? - D

Where the question mark is, what chord is that? It's one o' them jazz thangs. (The D I have, it sounds like some kind of D chord, it might be D major.)

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

I haven't heard that version for quite a while, but I think if you try a D7#9, that should do it.

In root position D7#9 = D F# A C F

Typically this chord is played using second position; F# A C F and the C (the 7th) can be dropped for a more open sound while still retaining the dissonance of the F3 against the F natural.

Hope this helps,

Dave


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Wm. David McMahan
Nat'l Product and Support Manager
Generalmusic USA
GEM Community Forums

The sheet music has been sent to your e-mail address Bill, hope that helps.

Thanks alot, I will try to figure it out.

BUT... I made a mistake. Maybe. The version I refer to is actually the Joe Cocker version and I don't know if Ray Charles played it differently. (Apparently he did, going by your sheet music!) But I am referring to the Joe Cocker version. It's a weird chord after the Gm when he is singing "unchain my heart" and I think it's when he signs the "chain" syllable.

This sounds kinda close --

...Adim.....D.............Gm
Un chain my heart, set me free

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

[This message has been edited by SemiLiveMusic (edited 08-24-2006).]

Bill,
In the 50's and 60's we would have used the raised 5th chord like in the key of Gm the chord before the D7 is an Eb7.

Can a guitar play an Eb7 chord? That chord is the root for many jazz tunes. Be careful man before you know it you'll want to do something in Db one day and you'll have to learn Body and Soul. Ha! Ha! Just kidding friend. When are we going to try the Shreveport thing again?

I'm not familiar with the Cocker version but you can't go wrong with the chords Ray uses on any tune. I don't care who wrote it. Many good musicians claim to have wanted to play like Ray. I never heard Ray say he wanted to play like anyone but himself.

Boo, that is what Craig's sheet music for Ray Charles shows - Eb7 down to D7. And now that I revisisted the song, that sounds right. Almost. It sounds like they are putting in another note to make it sound a tad dissonant. But Eb7 to D7 will definitely work. Thanks, I don't know what I hear.

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

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[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 08-25-2006).]

Hello Bill.
Joe Cockers version from his album is actually in A minor.
Having just listened to it, if you substitute the chords to

Am Dm etc
then Dm Am Dm Am
F7 is the ? you want then E7 back to Am

Eb7 is the missing chord if doing Ray Charles version or if you play this song in G minor.

WDMcM:
I want to say it's great of you to help, regardless of brand name, even though I KNOW you wish all of use were using GEM keyboards.
Guys, we can learn much from him.
DonM

Hi,

T42 is correct about the F7 back to E7. Although listening to THIS version of Joe Cocker performing live, the keyboardist is still throwing in that #9 I was talking about in my first post.

Dave

P.S. Thanks Don!
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Wm. David McMahan
Nat'l Product and Support Manager
Generalmusic USA
GEM Community Forums

[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 08-25-2006).]

Dave, Not to start an argument, but I tried the #9 and the b9 and I much prefer the b9 on the Eb7b9 chord just before the D7 chord in the key of Gm .
However, I've not heard the Joe Cocker version.

Hi,

Not sure why you would think that would start an argument. "?"

I suppose if we were debating the exact chord that is played in the Joe Cocker version in the video link I supplied, then we could argue as to that chord being a raised or lowered 9th. (BTW, I would win)

BUT... it really doesn't matter. The whole idea of playing music in the first place at least for me is to bring my own style and idea to a song. I have never liked trying to duplicate exactly what someone else has played on a recording. Sometimes there are signature licks that need to be played, but other than that I enjoy taking a song and making it my own so to speak. So if you like the sound of a lowered 9th then go for it. Actually the way I generally play that chord in that song is by playing the raised 9th and then use the lowered 9th as a passing tone back to the root chord. To me the sound of a lowered 9th suggests more of a standard bossa nova-ish turn-a-round where the raised 9th is more typical of a funky R&B tune which Unchain My Heart is considered. But then, that's just me. To each his own.

But back to the original question posted by Bill, it is an Eb7 to a D7#9.

Best Regards,

Dave


[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 08-26-2006).]