Question for da chord requesters

[T-Block]

There's something that I want to ask all you out there who request chords regularly. I've only done it 2 times and I know what was running through my head when I asked. Here's my question:

When yall post the question "I need help" or "I need some assistance with ___ song," what is your definition of help?

I'm just curious that's all. I would appreciate some honest answers.

[1stLady]

When i post a request for song chords, 98% of the time, it's because I am either having a really hard time hearing the keyboard in the song, due to a lot of other instruments, or it is just a hard song for me to learn! The other 2% would be due to lack of time to try to learn it on my own.
I can honestly say I have never requested a post just because I didn't feel like taking the time to learn it on my own. Unfortunately, T-Block, I think there are a lot of musicians on here that do just that, but, from personal experience, you can't learn anything that way.
God Bless

[rayjohnson83]

I think there are a lot of musicians on here that do just that, but, from personal experience, you can't learn anything that way.
God Bless

SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!

[Mrandrew]

For me I can honestly say I have asked for help on a few songs and this was in the beginning as I was just starting to understand. Later if I asked for assistance I started to post want I had to show I was not taking as easy way out.

I can agree that some are not willing to put in the time and effort to learn, but it's the only way to get better.

[dereknae]

I don't ask for chorded song because my ear is pretty strong as I have no problem learning them..But,I do ask a person say,if they're playing a 736 and it's different from the 736's I know,I'll ask what's their voicing

[themidiroom]

I even get emails from random folks asking for chords to songs.  They will say something like; "I need chords for this song that I have to play on Sunday." Hey, I don't like figuring out songs for myself let alone doing it when the person doesn't appear to have taken the time to try learning a song.

[cordney]

T-Block, are you talking about me...I only did it once!  I'm not a board player. J/K!!!!

Can I get the chords to *insert song here*

[berbie]

I have used chords posted on this site many times but I have only asked for chords on two or three occasions.  I simply took/take advantage of the chords that were posted at other's requests.   Or I use search or Earnest and Roline. I can usually play a song after a fashion by listeneng to the CD.

I have always been satisfied with the way that the chords were posted.  If I am asked to comment on the matter though, I would say that It might be helpful to have the chord name next to the chord in the posting.

Since then I don't request chords regularly I might not be the desired respondant, but the only reason that I would request chords would be that I couldn't figure it out at all myself and couldn't find them already posted.

I would consider help to be the chords posted as they are posted now.

berbie 

[jermaine19]

When I request help then I am in desperate need. That meaning that Itried it my way and it isn't working. I rarely like to ask for any assistance. I am thankful that I have requested a couple of songs on here and I have gotten assistance too.  I try to limit my questioning. Also, I like to rely on God most times that he will show me how to play better. It is ultimately about God. Not me. This is just my input to the question.

[T-Block]

Interesting answers. I know there are some more of you chord requesters out there. Keep the answers coming!!!

[musiqisme26]

not to sound boastful but i can play so usually when if i request chords its either 1 or 2 reasons

#1 I cant hear an unfamiliar pattern and i dont let pride hold me up so i will ask

#2 i dont like the way i play a song or become bored with so i kinda wanna see how someone else would approach it

[betnich]

I guess the most respectful request would be "I tried to chord this song, but need some input" along with the words/notes they have already figured out.


The LEAST respectful? Something like...

"Help, I need this song (Gospel playa's "____" version, with Choir parts, fancy changes+runs) chorded out for me w/pedals/LH/RH on the Organ in the key of 'X' NOW 'cause I gotta play it TOMORROW..."

{without searching the Net or LGM boards to see if someone has already done it}

[floaded27]

t-block, can you give me the chords to what i hear in my head right now. lol. just messin with u.

i read and take in whats posted, but i tend not to ask for anything because people post notes instead of chord types and its actually more frustrating trying to learn to play a song at a skill level that you arent at because thats the way someone else plays.

If a chord is a Cmin9, it would be easier for me to be told its a Cmin9 (so i can voice that chord how im able to) than be given a list of notes that puts like 3 notes in the left hand and stretching 2 octaves in the right hand because thats a sweet voicing that someone uses but i cant even do that, let alone do it in the middle of the song and in time.

i actually save time putting my ear to work and trying to figure out what i can, than wait for a post (if someone even responds) and translate that into something i can use.

tblock your last few posts i read giving chords provided the chord names, and having that opened up some things in my playing tremendously

[betnich]

i read and take in whats posted, but i tend not to ask for anything because people post notes instead of chord types and its actually more frustrating trying to learn to play a song at a skill level that you arent at because thats the way someone else plays.

If a chord is a Cmin9, it would be easier for me to be told its a Cmin9 (so i can voice that chord how im able to) than be given a list of notes that puts like 3 notes in the left hand and stretching 2 octaves in the right hand because thats a sweet voicing that someone uses but i cant even do that, let alone do it in the middle of the song and in time.

i actually save time putting my ear to work and trying to figure out what i can, than wait for a post (if someone even responds) and translate that into something i can use.

tblock your last few posts i read giving chords provided the chord names, and having that opened up some things in my playing tremendously

That's true - guitarists/bassists want chord symbols, while many keyboard players ask for RH/LH voicingd...

[Incognegro]

I don't know if I've ever asked for chords.  Even in the beginning.

If you want to learn a song and you have iTunes, buy it (it's only 99 cents) and spam pause, rewind, and play.

There are VERY few songs you can't figure out like that.

Gospel isn't as complicated as Jazz.  Even if you have to figure it out one chord at a time, there's a sense of accomplishment you get on Sunday Morning, knowing that you worked it out for yourself.

[T-Block]

tblock your last few posts i read giving chords provided the chord names, and having that opened up some things in my playing tremendously

Ur welcome man. When I first started posting chords, it was notes only. Then, once I realized that learning songs that way doesn't really help, I started doing a chord symbol version. For the most part, I don't even need the chord symobls. All I need is the bass notes and I can learn any song.

Even if you have to figure it out one chord at a time, there's a sense of accomplishment you get on Sunday Morning, knowing that you worked it out for yourself.

I like that and agree with the sentiments. It does make u feel good when u work hard and reap the benefits of your hard work.

[Incognegro]

Ur welcome man. When I first started posting chords, it was notes only. Then, once I realized that learning songs that way doesn't really help, I started doing a chord symbol version. For the most part, I don't even need the chord symobls. All I need is the bass notes and I can learn any song.

I like that and agree with the sentiments. It does make u feel good when u work hard and reap the benefits of your hard work.

AND, as you said, you learn faster that way.

When you work a song out yourself you "own" it.  You understand it.

Over time you'll be listening to someone play and say "Ah, ok.  I know what that was."

[T-Block]

AND, as you said, you learn faster that way.

When you work a song out yourself you "own" it.  You understand it.

Over time you'll be listening to someone play and say "Ah, ok.  I know what that was."

So true, especially that last part. Whenever I'm learning a song, I start with what I heard that's familiar.

[godservant]

I request chords because I am a beginner keyboard player and I have a hard time just "hearing" parts of a song, something that I'm sure comes natural to most of the people that belong to this site.  I praise God for this site because without people like T-Block and Val I probably wouldn't know how to play many songs..or know any theory as to what I'm playing.  I've only been playing a short time, and I was a secondary keyboard player at my church...Our primary keyboard player, our M.O.M., quit about5 weeks ago, during rehearsal....So everyone looked to me to take over...I took the position because I felt led to do so by God....I admit, humbly, that I am probably one of the ones on this site that "take away" more than I "give", but it's not because I'm greedy or anything, it's just because I'm still learning and I found this site and I love this site because with the tools here I am learning so much.  Afterall, the name is "Learn" Gospel Music...I pray all the time that God will open my ears to hear what I need to hear and that someday I will be able to help some beginner out with playing for his/her church like all of you have helped me...I am ever so grateful to all of those who contribute to this site and have a burden to teach up and coming church musicians....

[sjonathan02]

I request chords because I am a beginner keyboard player and I have a hard time just "hearing" parts of a song, something that I'm sure comes natural to most of the people that belong to this site.  I praise God for this site because without people like T-Block and Val I probably wouldn't know how to play many songs..or know any theory as to what I'm playing.  I've only been playing a short time, and I was a secondary keyboard player at my church...Our primary keyboard player, our M.O.M., quit about5 weeks ago, during rehearsal....So everyone looked to me to take over...I took the position because I felt led to do so by God....I admit, humbly, that I am probably one of the ones on this site that "take away" more than I "give", but it's not because I'm greedy or anything, it's just because I'm still learning and I found this site and I love this site because with the tools here I am learning so much.  Afterall, the name is "Learn" Gospel Music...I pray all the time that God will open my ears to hear what I need to hear and that someday I will be able to help some beginner out with playing for his/her church like all of you have helped me...I am ever so grateful to all of those who contribute to this site and have a burden to teach up and coming church musicians....

Go to hear and play.com and get Jermaine's 330 page course and DVD.

That's what helped me 'hear' what's going on in a lot of stuff.


My big issue is my fingers not working independently of one another.  I don't think there's a DVD for that yet.