I've been working on some of Carolyn's songs on guitar. As you may well know, I am not a competent musician by any means. And, Carolyn uses chords that I find tough (see: "Do We Dare"). Still, I have managed to find a few that I can stumble through."Be Still" from Love Was Here First
"Nothing Can Separate" from Love Was Here First
"The Lord's Servant" from Christmas, An Irrational Season
"Last Thursday" from Feel Free
"Father, Thy Will be Done" from Feel Free
"Go With God" from This Much I Understand
"You Take My Soul By Storm" from I Can Hear You
"Go With God" from This Much I Understand
"You Take My Soul By Storm" from I Can Hear You
Here is my question for any guitarists who stop by this site and who have played Carolyn's songs -- especially if you are not a virtuoso on guitar, but a novice or slightly better (but not much): Which songs have you learned to play? Where have you found the chords? Have you ever taken a really tricky song (see: "Do We Dare") and been able to simplify it while retaining its basic structure?
Any insight from visitors would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
8 comments:
Two questions that come to mind are: Are you strumming or finger-picking? Are you playing in the original key or transposing? And how much like the original song do you want to stay?
Hi Mark!
I mostly strum -- though I can do a little fingering -- and I play in whatever key I can find simple enough chords for. :-) I like to stay as close to the original as possible, since I know the songs so well. I have found that when I have purchased the chords from Carolyn's site, they are much easier than the ones in the Feel Free songbook. I wonder why that would be . . .
Have you ever played around with the chords for "Do We Dare"? I really, really, really want to learn that one (my favorite song ever). The FF songbook is insane, and I just think they're making it harder than it needs to be. I keep going on the verge of e-mailing Carolyn herself, but she's so busy I hate to plague her in-box with whiny fan inquiries.
I have a feeling you're quite the virtuoso on guitar and have those mad skills I so sorely lack; but, I appreciate any help you can give! Thanks!
I'm actually much better on keyboards than guitar - I've not played guitar in so long I need to really work on it to play anything - but I get the basics. I'd be happy to help you out, but I can't seem to find my songbook. Is there an Internet link to the chords, or would you be able to send me a scan of the pages? (I promise I really DO have the Feel Free song book . . . I just can't seem to find it.)
I recently transcribed the chords, played piano and sang "Any Given Sunday" for our music director's 30th anniversary at church. I was hoping that the recording would be clear enough (and enough on-key for my less-than-Carolynesque singing voice) that I could post it to my blog. We'll see . . .
So, as time permits, please send me the chords or a scan and I'll see what I can do.
You rock! I'm knee-deep in spring cleaning and can only really get to my fridge, computer and bed right now (seriously); but, I will find the FF song book as soon as I get the living room back in order and see if I can scan in the pages. Thanks!
I'll be watching for it!
Hi Mark!
So, I was able to dig out my FF songbook. Unfortunately, I forgot that the scanner on my printer is kaput; however, in looking over the chords, I realized that I know some of these much better now than I did the last time I looked (practice! practice! practice!). My only hard part in the song is when she nafariously changes keys after the bridge and brings in such unwholsome chords as B and G#m7 and G#m on the verse beginning "Like the secrets we keep . . ." This is entirely unfair. I don't know if there's much you can do for me, as I've been told that the B chords just need to be learned -- there's no simplification for them. But, maybe a few clucks of sympathy and lifted prayers for newly granted finger elasticity would be my best help, after all. Thanks!
So . . . how are things going with the songs you were working on?
How did it turn out? Now I'm looking for a copy of the songbook online as I love that one too! I found decent chords for another favorite, Hold Me Now off Jennifer Knapp's Kansas album, which is oh so easy until just two chords just before the chorus! So I feel your pain of a few years ago. I wonder if it's possible to transpose/kapo Do We Dare into a pair of keys that are both within reach of us beginners? (Tho I hope that by now you are far beyond my less-than-one-year beginner ability!) :)
Post a Comment