When to Simplify Chords!

Some things are worth working on, some are not!

Which Should You Learn?

Which chords should be simplified and which are worth the effort?

Well, that's kind of a preference but I'm going to explain MY preference and my rationale for it.

You can then agree or do whatever you want.

Of course, the fewer simplifications you do the more effort you will expend.

My "take:"

I find that the basic Major chords and Minor chords are worthwhile and not all of these. See my book on the subject at amazon for why.

Yes, there are some other three note chords but they are MUCH rarer than Majors (the name says it all) and Minors.

These two types of chords can be considered the "main dish."

All added notes are simply sauces on the dish to make it "taste" better.

Some sauces are worthwhile, some are not.

I usually draw the line at the Seventh chords.

In other words, I know my Sevenths (called "dominant sevenths" by the uninformed) and Minor Sevenths.

I have seen folks that only played Majors and Minors and were very happy with that.

9ths, 11ths, 13ths, and any "altered chord" such as a Aug 9th or a b11 simply don't get played.

I usually simplify them to 7ths.

Too many pros think that their "ear" is the same "ear" as their audience.

Thus, they do the work to learn these fancy chords and think that it is important to the folks they play for.

Me, having asked said folks, know better.

You can do whatever you want re simplification to make things sound the way you prefer.

Just make a choice to work harder for that special sauce!