The Steel Guitar Forum

b0b · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Trying to find out which position is used the most for augmented (#5) chords.
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Herb Steiner · From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX

b0b
With all respect, I believe the premise of your poll is flawed, for this reason. The augmented chord doesn't exist in a universe by itself; rather it's a stopping point or a transition, if you will, between one chord containing a melody note and another. In and of itself the chord contains a melody note.

So the player takes into account, when deciding which pedal combination to use for an augmented chord, what melody note of the aug. should be on top, what pedal combination he's coming from, and where he'll be going to.

Even when comping or playing pads, these factors are taken into consideration... at least by this player.

So at the very least, one choice on your polling list should be "it depends."
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Herb Steiner · From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX

You could also add:

"All of the above"
"None of the above"
"Never use one"
"Never heard of one"
"Don't have one on my guitar"

and, finally

"An augmented chord... whatever that is... ain't country."

Laughing

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
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My rig: steel guitar, seat, amp, volume pedal, and 2 cords.

Whoever said "the pen is mightier than the sword" has obviously never been stabbed.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Well, I guess what I'm getting at is this: if you're reading a chord chart and it says G+, what's the first thing you're inclined to play?

I understand that knowing them all is a good idea, just like knowing all positions for majors and minors is a good idea. But the augmented chord repeats every 4 frets. All of them should be within 2 frets of your current bar position anyway.

When the chart says G+, do you really run through all of the different positions in your mind and decide on one? I only do that if I'm slowly working out an arrangement. Under pressure of tempo, I go for the chord position I know best.
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©Bobby Lee, a.k.a. -b0b- | MySpace | Twitter | FaceBook | Blog | email: Quasar@b0b.com
playing Desert Rose, Williams, Sierra, Fender & Rickenbacker steel guitars through Mesa/Boogie & Webb amps

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

b0b, I already voted in your poll, for the pedal 5 plus A-Bb lever, but I'll state why.
First, I don't have a C-C# lever, or I might choose it by default for the same reasons.
The pedal 5 chord is already a commonly used one, strummable, and gives you a nice big root if you want. Also when augmenting the fifth, the fifth itself is near, but not at, the top. You still have the option of adding the 7th on the third string, the 9th on the second, or even the root on string one if you use D for your first string, above it.
There are lots of other partial augmented chords available, but this one is a no-brainer, so it's the best one for me Smile

In close second place is the pedal 5 chord four frets up from the root.. the reason being it's one fret south of your most likely destination (I).
- John
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Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

b0b
FWIW

I use LVL to flat my 6th intervals.

R2
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(hope this helps)

b0b · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

That would be option 3, the A-Ab lever.

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

I'd say I use the 5th pedal and the A-Bb lever most. I use them all but the 6 and 7 pedal one. It's there but never use it.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i voted P6 w: the C to C# lever
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Ulric Utsi-Åhlin · From: Sweden

My #2 pedal raises "middle G" & lowers "A",the resul-
ting unison´s sweet.McUtsi

b0b · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

P5 + A>Bb gives the following notes:

D F# A# C E F# A# C E D

A very cool sounding D9+5, but it seems to me that you'd want a middle D in there if the chart called for a simple augmented chord.

Fred Glave · From: McHenry, Illinois, USA

My 1st string is G, so I use 5th pedal G to G# and no levers. Herb you've never played "Right or Wrong"? Surprised

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Herb Steiner · From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX

Fred
I play "Right or Wrong" on practically every gig I play. Why do you ask?
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
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My rig: steel guitar, seat, amp, volume pedal, and 2 cords.

Whoever said "the pen is mightier than the sword" has obviously never been stabbed.

Fred Glave · From: McHenry, Illinois, USA

Herb, do you use the augmented chord to jump in at the beginning of the verse (instrumental)? Our group does the George Strait version with that and it sounds pretty cool. (No augmented in country).
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Herb Steiner · From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX