minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Feb 3, 2022 16:35:30 GMT
I was hoping to learn Streets of London on guitar but it has an F in it, and its an absolute (expletive) to play! If I transpose with a capo might that help?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 3, 2022 17:18:40 GMT
Try this shape - 1x321x - it'll do OK when fingerpicking this one. Use T on 6th string and fingers 321 on strings 432 respectively.
Your chord sheet, like many, is wrong re the placement of many of the chords - possibly a formatting thing, but listen to Ralph to hear where the changes should be.
It is also incorrect, again like many others, with the first D7 . The chord quite clearly has an F in bass if you listen so can't be D or D7. It should be an F with a 6th (D) added. Use the shape I gave for F, but add 4th finger on fret 3 string 2 to add the D. ie 1x323x with T on string 6 and fingers 324 on strings 432 respectively.
The chorus (So how...)starts with F, not Dm. You might try getting the characteristic bass descent on the C Am D bit ie C C/B Am Am/G D/F# (F# with thumb). Works nicely fingerpicking and can also be emphasised if you're strumming.
You'll need a capo on fret 4 to match Ralph's pitch on the original recording. later versions have him singing it at capo 3 or capo 2.
Good luck!
Keith
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Feb 3, 2022 17:56:44 GMT
Hm I tried that F with the 2 strings missed but I found it nigh on impossible when strumming. Fingerpicking might be an option though ... So, capo on the 4th a la Ralph, would I play the same chord shapes even though it would be transposed?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 3, 2022 19:18:54 GMT
Yup, the shape I suggest won't work well strumming unless you're careful to miss the top e string. It is a great song for fingerpicking even very simply.
No need to capo at all, but yes, use the same shapes wherever you capo. The capo is just to put the pitch in the best place to sing. If you aren't singing then it doesn't matter. But if you want to play along with a recording you'll need the capo to get the right pitch. Ralph originally sang this in E (ie chord shapes in C with capo fret 4). Most people find that as they get older they are more comfortable singing a bit lower, so in live performance he tends to use C shapes with capo 2, making the key D.
Hope that's helpful, Larry.
Keith
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Feb 3, 2022 19:44:27 GMT
Cheers Keith!
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Post by borborygmus on Feb 3, 2022 20:48:59 GMT
Martin Simpson says that there is a reason they call it the "F" chord - because it's too f@cking hard! Hence (he says) he uses alternative tunings to avoid any sort of barre chords.
I invariably do 13321X using thumb over the top, then fingers 3 4 2 1 on the fifth, fourth, third and second string respectively. The top E is slightly muted by my first finger. Can strum it and finger pick it, as long as you ignore the first string. Move the shape up and down the fretboard for other chords - especially power chords on an electric. It isn't too hard. Practise it by fingering a standard E chord (022100) using fingers 3 4 2 (rather than 2 3 1), then moving it up one fret and adding the thumb on the 6th string and the first finger on the second string.
This is very useful, and I recommend that you spend some time on it. Good luck. Peter
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Feb 3, 2022 21:46:25 GMT
Another hard bugger is B. Ugh. And Ukulele players complain about the E chord.(4442) That's a walk in the park in comparison
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Feb 4, 2022 0:00:03 GMT
Nobody said that playing was easy, Larry Sometimes you just have to put in the hours... worth it in the end, mind.
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Post by delb0y on Feb 4, 2022 7:55:18 GMT
I recall that when faced with F back in the day I came up with the idea to learn Dm7 first - using the first finger over the top two strings, and the second finger on the third string. Essentially just the top half of an F chord, but a lot more manageable. It was still hard, but it was doable, and then (weeks later) I added the third finger and got a small F and, then some time after that, the fourth finger. It worked for me.
I have to agree with Leo, there is no substitute for putting in the hours sometime.
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Post by PistolPete on Feb 4, 2022 17:01:44 GMT
I quite often use XX3211 or XX321X for a lazy F. Your index finger doesn't move, but otherwise, it's basically just shifting C up by one string.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Feb 6, 2022 0:39:49 GMT
Relax.
Not being facetious. I've noticed that people who have problems holding down chords are often gripping too hard and skewing the pitch. Try practicing when you're watching the telly or when you're watching for your neighbour's cat to shit on your lawn with a water pistol placed nearby. Part of breaking self imposed barriers is forgetting they're there.
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Feb 6, 2022 12:04:37 GMT
I might try this one the baritone uke once the strings have settled in
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