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Thread: Who needs a B chord anyway?

  1. #1

    Default Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Advice needed.

    So I had surgery on my ulnar nerve last year and my old pinky finder, while functional, can be a bit flaky.

    So any suggestions for a pinky free (or pinky lite) B chord in cgda.
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  2. #2
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Well, if you're alright with a B7 instead of B - and if you're using it to lead to an Em chord, why wouldn't you be - then just leave the A string open.

    I have to say, that's a bear of a chord anyway, even with all four fingers. Plus there are two B's and two D#'s, but no F#. Try 3446 for B or 3440 for a B7.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Would a 3-note chord do?

    D# on the C string, B on the G string, and F# on the D string

    Barre the same B and F# and play the D# on the A string

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    You realize that is exactly what I said in the previous post, albeit in other words.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    You realize that is exactly what I said in the previous post, albeit in other words.
    Sorry for repeating what you posted.

    So I should have said 344x or x446, huh?

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Maybe. I dunno. Seems to be the convention hereabouts. I'm not good at tab, but this fingering designation works for me. As does not having to suss out the notes' names vis-a-vis the fingerings. Especially in a key I don't use much, like B.

    Corollary conundrum: When I got my mandola (same tuning as tenor guitar), one of the reasons was to be able to improve the playability of a few keys, including E (hold on, we'll get there). Playing the blues as well as rock as much as I do, this key comes up a lot. The tuning of the mandolin makes it one of the higher-pitched ones, without a good solid low tonic. I could suggest it by working the low 3b scale note of G, but still had to play the 1224 E at the resolve. (Recognize that chord shape? ) The mandola gave me a low E - but then it meant I was playing the equivalent of a B scale! See? I told you I'd get there.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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  10. #7

    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    My try at diagramming what David and JB are describing (hope I did this right)...

    Click image for larger version. 

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    (click pic enough times to make it big enough to see)

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  12. #8
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Quote Originally Posted by JL277z View Post
    My try at diagramming what David and JB are describing (hope I did this right)...
    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    So I should have said 344x or x446, huh?
    Hmmm. I guess I wasn't looking closely enough. I said 3440 for B7 or 3446 for B. An X indicates a string not to be played. But yes, these still are three finger chords if you barre the two middle strings at the 4th fret. I don't know if you'll be able to play the top string at the sixth fret. That would be a stretch for my hands on the tenor; I'd use my pinky. So then 344X might be the best option.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  13. #9

    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Cheers all, will give these a go and see how I go.

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  15. #10
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who needs a B chord anyway?

    Quote Originally Posted by JL277z View Post
    My try at diagramming what David and JB are describing (hope I did this right)...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	b-chord-cgda-3finger.jpg 
Views:	121 
Size:	114.3 KB 
ID:	192211
    (click pic enough times to make it big enough to see)
    That's just what I was describing, thank you.

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