[volfan]

Hi Folks,

One of the songs I'm sort of messing around with is The Star Spangled Banner. Since this song is obviously public domain, I assume I can post the tab here, or at least the part I have a question about. This version is all single notes, but I'd like to replace a note or two with a chord to add some depth or whatever.

I'd like to replace the bold notes below with chords, but I am apparently ignorant as to what to do. My first thought was to replace an A note with an A chord, but it doesn't sound right. What am I missing here?

e----0----------0--5--9--7--5-----------
B------2-----2-----------------2--4--5--
G---------2------------------------------


Thanks!!

[Fretsource]

You can play chords A major and E major in place of those single notes, but make the top note of the chord the original melody notes. So you're not really replacing them, you're adding a chord under them.

BTW - It's just coincidence in this case that both chord names are the same as the note names. That's not always the case.

[Dewy]

e----0----------0--5--9--7--5-----------
B------2-----2-----5------------2--4--5--
G---------2---------------------------4---

Try the blue notes

[stringslinger]

If you're playing this with distortion, I think these sound pretty good.

first one

bar 1st and 2nd string at 5th fret, keep strings 3 and 4 calm and strike all six... the 6th and 5th are open.

second one

open 6th string, finger on 5th string fret 2 (B note) and keep string 4calm, and also finger the 2nd string on fret 3 (B note) and 5th string on fret 5 (E note), keep 1st string calm.

Play these as chords of course... the are power chords basically. I can post a video if you need one and show my fingering.

[Kirk Lorange]

I hear that chord as a F#m.

The full thing would be:


-----E---A--------F#m------------B7--E--

e----0----------0--5--9--7--5-----------
B------2-----2-----5------------2--4--5--
G---------2---------------------------4---
I did a finger style lesson for this here.

[Fretsource]

Quite right Kirk - It's F#m, not A. I should've listened before replying

[volfan]

Thanks guys! I'll try this. I actually did do the F#m on the first one just by playing with fretting and listening, but I couldn't figure the second one out.

Again, you guys are the best. What a resource this place is!

[Your-Stranger]

That piece Kirk did of the star spangled banner was great =D

Nice job.

And as for this question, just expirementing with different chord styles of the A and E can be fun and add flavor to the whole thing.