The Steel Guitar Forum

Now and then I am given a very short period of time to learn and play a contemporary christian song. Lately it seems that the chord structure in these songs is getting unusual. Can anyone point me to a book that will help me find chord susstitutions etc.?

Have you already viewed this site for chords?

http://www.mightyfinemusic.com/Chord_Finder.asp

Hi Gary,

I have used that site before and have found it very helphul. I am hoping to find something that I can use while on stage practicing with the band.

when I gigged I used a small slip of paper to remind me of my triads on the tunings I used.
eventually, I didnt need it.
I simply took the time and mapped out the notes for each string. then located the triads (chords) and I was set.
it doesnt have to be elaborate. a simple reminder diagram is all you will need.

Randy,

I had considered this at one time. I thought about printing them out on a sheet of paper and taping this to the lid of my case that I carry my charts in. I was hoping for a book. That would be to easy.

Stanford, I am assuming that you are wanting a manual to use with a steel guitar.

If so, you will also need a manual that also gives you the slides as you move among the chords. You can always use pickblocking every time you pick the strings, however, you might as well just use an acoustic if that's the case.

If you want your steel to sound like a steel guitar in the background, knowledgable slide techniques are going to have to be included in the manual you are looking for.

Another thing you could consider, even the pros do this, learning that you don't have to follow the band with every chord they hit on. If you know the position of every second or third chord, that's all you need to cover your butt and make yourself acceptable. It's your work with your bar that will cover for you through your learning process.

Another little secret for you,:twisted: I played with a church band about 8 months after I started playing my steel. They thought I was great. None of them realized that I was picking up on only about every third chord and throwing in lots of harmonics. If they had asked me to play a break or a bridge, I would have been a cooked goose.

Les,

Thank you for your response. I am using a Fender Custom T-8. I have been playing every second or third Chord when I read on the chart that the guitarist is suposed to play a D Maj 9th augmented by a minot 23rd when the moon is full. This seems to work so far. If I had more than 30 minutes before the opening number I could do much better. This may be the best that I can do under these circumstances.

Regardless your post makes me feel that I'm not the only one that this happens to. Thanks for the imput.

Stanford, if you happen to get your hands on a manual that gives the bar slides with the chords can you please post the manual's title and where to get it.

I played bass with a band last night with a steeler who played his steel that came out sounding like he was playing his Tele. All he did was pick and block, pick and block. I don't think he used any more than two bar slides per song.

We chatted a bit during our first break and he said he had been playing a Tele all his life had no idea how to use proper bar slides with his chord work or chops. He could really use a steel guitar manual to get him started.

I wanted to re-light this one Learning to spell chords and understanding the theory behind chords is fun and rewarding. Get a chord dictionary and read it to see what changes between one chord to the next. Hours of clean fun.