[Dixielandjazz] 6th Chords

[Gary Kiser]

I'm going to have to side with Bob on this one. The 6th degree adds a 
'flavor'. A different flavor than the dominant 7 or the major 7. They DO 
appear in the original compositions of many of the tunes we play and are 
there for a reason. They change the 'color'. A 6th chord, like a half 
diminished chord, sounds pretty strange by itself, but in context, what 
a great sound. Depends what comes before and after.

True, if there is a bass that will tend be heavy on the tonic and 5th, 
an Am7 CAN be substituted on the piano or guitar, but it is still a 6th 
chord.

Respectfully, Gary


On 10/04/2012 21:07, Robert Ringwald wrote:
> Regarding 6th chord on a guitar, Tom Lobe wrote:
> I asked a well known strum guitar player if he followed all the exotic chords written on some big band charts. His answer was "Heck no!". Conclusion is leave the 6th out of the chord if it is awkward.
>
>
> I respectfully disagree. If it is a good arrangement, written by a good arranger and it calls for a 6th chord, play it. If it is difficult, practice until you can hit it.
> A 6th can add a really nice flavor to the sound.
> --Bob Ringwald
> www.ringwald.com
> Fulton Street Jazz Band
>
> Original Message-----
> From: Allan Brown<allanbrown at dsl.pipex.com>
> To: Trumpetom<Trumpetom at aol.com>
> Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List<dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:50 am
> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] 6th Chords
>
>
> Dear Listmates,
>
> I have a technical question for ya'll.
>
> The 6th chord appears on quite a few jazz lead sheets that I'm attempting to
> play. I'm intrigued as to the 'when' and a 'why' of this chord. C6 has all the
> same notes as Am7, so is it viewed as an inversion of a m7 chord or as a major
> chord with distinct flavour? Also, is it distinct from a 13th chord?
>
> I find it quite a tricky chord to voice on the guitar when there are lots of
> chords flying by, is it usually okay to just play a straight major chord
> whenever a 6th chord is given?
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> All the best,
>
> Allan Brown


Gary Kiser
34, rue du Président Wilson
63100 Clermont-Ferrand
09.53.99.80.73
06.63.60.11.44

www.sacapulses.com
www.mojobrassband.com
www.martapiker.fr
www.facebook.com/gary.kiser
www.myspace.com/garykiser
www.massifjazz.com
www.youtube.com/massifjazz