Mooney's Rolling chord. What is that?

James Zurek · Post by **James Zurek** » 29 Jun 2004 4:10 pm

This was posted by another on the forum. I never saw a reply to it so I hope he does not mind me asking again....in his own words.....

"Just curious --
Also, while we're speaking of the word "roll," I've heard Ralph Mooney's style described as a "rolling chord" style.

I really like Mooney's style and I listen to him a lot, but I still haven't figured out what the term "rolling chord" refers to.

Can anybody point out an example of a rolling chord, or maybe explain it? I've been curious about that for a while. Thanks"

And thanks again,

James

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Some kind of Sho-Bud Frankenstein guitar
Standel 50L12
Standel S80

Herman Visser · Post by **Herman Visser** » 29 Jun 2004 5:45 pm

HI James I to am a real big fan of Ralph Mooney Music and style of playing. Dont know what a rolling chord is but would like know. My question to you is have you heard his CD calld The Toppa Session just 8 track but nice if you like Mooney. Never see him play by himself but going to try this yr.if I can and he is still playing.check with b0b to see if he has it. By the way there is one cut on it thats featuring Gene Davis on it. real nice vocals

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 1 Jul 2004 12:00 pm

I think a rolling chord is simply a chord played in a 3-finger roll, like on a banjo.

i guess you could call it an arpeggio as well...?

if you have the 'Corn Pickin & Slick Slidin' album, give a listen to 'Pretty World'. at about 1:07 Ralph plays a series of rolls.

God bless that man!

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 2 Jul 2004 7:36 am

James, this is just my viewpoint, not the money gospel. I think what the person who called it a "rolling chord style" meant was that Ralph has a wonderful way of arpeggiating up and down a chord by peddling (or "rollin") one string into another. That of course is just one of the many facets of his style.[This message was edited by Mike Headrick on 02 July 2004 at 08:38 AM.]

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 2 Jul 2004 5:24 pm

I think he has 20 fingers myself

Joe Yednasty · Post by **Joe Yednasty** » 5 Jul 2004 7:03 am

I'm not exactly sure what Ralph's "Rolling Chord" is but I do know that its probably difficult to play and that Ralph makes it look easy.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 12 Jul 2004 8:53 pm

James! Try this: at any fret above 3 pick 5 then 3&4 slide down 2 frets while pressing A pedal slide back up 2 frets while releasing A pedal continue to re-pick at each position as you roll back & forth with A pedal pressed only when down 2 frets and re-pick at each position, If this seems to be what your looking for,Its a little tricky & if you have any problem, I can tape it & explain for you & send it to you on a cassette! Best Wishes! au

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 13 Jul 2004 7:17 am

There is a movement all over Wynn Stewart's and Buck Owen's recordings where RM does what I call walking up and down the strings.

In fact it was one of the very first "licks" to occur after Buddy Emmons split Bud Isaacs' pedal into A and B. Before this, what Ralph and others did was not possible on a steel guitar.

Ralph of course epitomized it, in a way that became a classic. Some lead guitar players back then said he was stealin' guitar licks. And in a way similar to what Floyd Cramer did as he "stole" the pedal licks and applied them to the piano*, it was a musical movement that had never, heretofore, been done on the steel guitar.

Plus, I am not sure it had ever been done musically either. Not sure.

While I know of no one that ever pulled it off with the ease and finnese' of Ralph, the lick was used on countless recordings by other steel guitarists including untold "wannabees", IF, I am understanding what you mean by "rolling chord".

Taking NOTHING from Ralph, I have a recording sent to me by Jelie Biel (Koos's brother) where Buddy Emmons embellishes that lick like I have never heard anyone do it.

In fact, in the recording by two ladies singing a gospel song, Buddy is permitted to play the longest break I have heard using it. And the notes are sooo crystal clear and sharp as to almost defy logic.

carl

*Note: Someone dubbed Floyd Cramer's classic lick, the "Bent note". Also, I have heard it said and quite vehemently that Floyd played that lick before pedal steel guitars ever did it. I will categorically state to the world that is pure unadulterated rubbish.

Floyd took that lick right from the pedal steel guitar, if I am standing on this earth. Pure and simple.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 13 Jul 2004 11:45 am

Storm of Love intro and solo MP3 640kb

Ralph arpeggiates a chord or two in between the pedal action in this example; Carl is this what you are talkin' about?

I am pretty sure what Al U is talkin about and will try to find a sample to post...[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 13 July 2004 at 12:49 PM.]

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 13 Jul 2004 12:30 pm

Dave,

That is it precisely. If that is what the author of this thread calls a "rolling chord", and I think it is, then my post is commenting on just exactly what RM did on that and countless other recordings.

Thanks for posting that dear friend,

carl

Joe Yednasty · Post by **Joe Yednasty** » 13 Jul 2004 12:40 pm

I'm also pretty sure that in the Buck Owens song "Fishin' on the Mississippi" from one of his live albums has Tom Brumley on steel playing a chord like "Storms Of Love"

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"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
70s Emmons Pedal Steel (3X4)

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 13 Jul 2004 4:47 pm

Ralph Mooney was a monster guitar player before becoming a steel player ... ain't we glad he gave it up! Speedy used to call him the "Boogie Monster". I guess with the "Mooney Mentality" and being a former "take off " guitar player just helped him develop the "Mooney style." Regards, Fred

Jeff Sunstrom · Post by **Jeff Sunstrom** » 13 Jul 2004 6:17 pm

Fred

Great to see your post! You going to make it back to Iowa this year!

Best Regards
Bring the Moon with ya!

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Jeff Sunstrom
Emmons S10 3&4
Fender Twin Reverb
Hilton Pedal
Ibanez Digital Delay

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 14 Jul 2004 6:31 am

"Ralph Mooney was a monster guitar player before becoming a steel player ..."

I never knew this. That explains it entirely, IMO. As many a lead guirarist grudgingly said back then, "he is stealing guitar licks."

He may have, but oh how he made 'em (licks) sound on that old Fender PSG!

Enuff said

carl

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 14 Jul 2004 6:48 am

As an after thought, I think he was playing guitar on Wynn's first few recordings. Fred

Craig Krause · Post by **Craig Krause** » 14 Jul 2004 9:37 am

An example of what Al described might be
the fill in "The Bottle Let Me Down" after the words "and lately I've been turning every day."

James Zurek · Post by **James Zurek** » 14 Jul 2004 10:03 am

Can someone tab that break on Merle's "The Bottle Let Me Down"? I suspect fill is a better choice of words then break. I am a newbie and I work easer with tabs. Thanks!

Craig Krause · Post by **Craig Krause** » 14 Jul 2004 12:11 pm

James, If I recall correctly this is that fill, or it is similar to this. I am not sure how many times the lick repeats; neither the recording or a steel are available right now.

<pre>
1 __________________________________________
2 __________________________________________
3 ___5________3__________5_________3________
4 ___5________3__________5_________3________
5 _____5--3A_____3A--5_____5--3A_____3A--5__
6 __________________________________________
7 __________________________________________
8 __________________________________________
9 __________________________________________
10__________________________________________
</pre>

James Lutz · Post by **James Lutz** » 15 Jul 2004 3:39 pm

Being a guitar picker I've always had a real thing for Mooneys sound. He's one of those out of the box players that just plays what he hears in his head. He doesn't play licks, he plays sounds. Give him two strings and let him go. He gets the perfect intervals. Once he plays the song, you never want to hear anyone else play it. He's the steel equivalent of Roy Nichols. Lay out then come in and nail it with a couple perfect notes. Genius.

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Minds work like parachutes. It's best when they're open.

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 15 Jul 2004 6:42 pm

Ike Epperly, Merl Travis, Chet Atkins, and quite a few outher guys used this before Earl Scruggs, Floyd Cramer, ect:. My grandpa used it back in the 30's, he tried to teach me, But Mooney and Chet mastered it. Have fun and enjoy whats left...Lv'Ya Jennings

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +