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stevewood · June 1st, 2007, 10:27 PM

Can anyone explain to me how to play the chord that Otis Rush is playing at 3:03 of this video. I've heard this on a lot of blues cd's, particularly in Ronnie Earl's playing, but I've never been able to really nail it. Being a lefty,Otis plays with the strings upside down. So that makes it more difficult to visually figure it out. Neat song and video. Thanks for the help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2tEP3I3DM

blacklinefish · June 2nd, 2007, 12:12 AM

Great clip. Isn't that just a Bb7? It sounds like Bb-D-F-Ab, which is a voicing that works great on piano, but is awkward at first on guitar:

Code:

-4- 
-6- 
-7- 
-8- 
--- 
---

No need to tell you which fingers go where, because I would be amazed if you could finger this any other way.

There is some movement, and I think it is two things. First, I think the first finger is barred on the 1st and 2nd strings on that 4th fret, and the second finger is lifting and hammering back down. That gives a nice Eb in there. Also, the pinky may be lifting and play a note higher up on the 2nd string there as well, like an A and Bb again.

Code:

-4--- 
-4h6- 
-7--- 
-8--- 
----- 
-----

--gh

Telakaster · June 2nd, 2007, 12:42 AM

It sounds to me like a Bb7 without the 3rd and with the 5th being hammered on from a 4th. Sort of a lick/chord combination.

Andy R · June 2nd, 2007, 02:30 PM

I think you're both almost right- sounds to me like a minor 3rd tho...

June 1st, 2007, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
stevewood TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 31	What's this Chord? Can anyone explain to me how to play the chord that Otis Rush is playing at 3:03 of this video. I've heard this on a lot of blues cd's, particularly in Ronnie Earl's playing, but I've never been able to really nail it. Being a lefty,Otis plays with the strings upside down. So that makes it more difficult to visually figure it out. Neat song and video. Thanks for the help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2tEP3I3DM

June 2nd, 2007, 12:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
blacklinefish Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northwest Missouri Age: 41 Posts: 1,554	Great clip. Isn't that just a Bb7? It sounds like Bb-D-F-Ab, which is a voicing that works great on piano, but is awkward at first on guitar: Code: -4- -6- -7- -8- --- --- No need to tell you which fingers go where, because I would be amazed if you could finger this any other way. There is some movement, and I think it is two things. First, I think the first finger is barred on the 1st and 2nd strings on that 4th fret, and the second finger is lifting and hammering back down. That gives a nice Eb in there. Also, the pinky may be lifting and play a note higher up on the 2nd string there as well, like an A and Bb again. Code: -4--- -4h6- -7--- -8--- ----- ----- --gh

June 2nd, 2007, 12:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Telakaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 55 Posts: 242	It sounds to me like a Bb7 without the 3rd and with the 5th being hammered on from a 4th. Sort of a lick/chord combination.

June 2nd, 2007, 02:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andy R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nashville Posts: 702 4 Photos	I think you're both almost right- sounds to me like a minor 3rd tho...

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