Because of Django's disfigurement of his left hand he effectively only had the use of
thumb, first and second digits. So he had to play chords using these only. It has been
though that he was able in some instances to bring his disfigured fingers into play. We
will be using all of ours.
Django had to find a method of playing chords with his disfigurement. So he substituted
normal fingering to triads.
The triad is an inherently easy chord to play, and when used imaginatively can be used
great effect. Especially at speed.
I don't know if you are familiar with these chords but they are essential to get that
feel.
They all can be transposed up and down the neck as required.
I've always found when learning chords that putting them into context with a tune makes
task a little easier. So I'll first show you the chord shapes to the tune:
Gm6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
2nd
Am6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
4th
D7
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
4th
BbMaj6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!-----!--3--!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
5th
Bm6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
6th
Cm6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
7th
Ab7
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!-----!--4--!-----!
D !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
A !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
3rd
A7
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!-----!--4--!-----!
D !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
A !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
4th
Abm6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
E !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
3rd
F6
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
B !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
G !-----!--3--!-----!-----!
D !--1--!-----!-----!-----!
A !-----!-(2)-!-----!-----!
E *!-----!-----!-----!-----!
7th
Gm6 Am6 D7 Gm6 Am6 BbMaj6
Cm6
// / / / / / / //
BbMaj6 Ab7 D7
// // //
Gm6 Am6 D7 Gm6 Am6 BbMaj6
Cm6
// / / / / / / //
BbMaj6 A7 D7 Gm6
// / / //
Abm6 Am6 F6 E6 Eb6
D6
8bts //// / / / / /
Gm6 Am6 D7 Gm6 Am6 BbMaj6
Bm6 Cm6
// / / / / / / //
BbMaj6 A7 D7 Gm6
// / / /
