Chord Chemistry by Ted Greene
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Book Reviews of Chord Chemistry
Book Review: Ted Greene's book was always my favorite.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is for any serious guitar player, and definitely should then be combined with Ted's "Modern Chord Progressions". This book has much info for any musician, on Harmonizations and Voice-Leading. His approach to guitar is simply superb. There are enough examples to intrigue for quite awhile.
I first bought this book in the 1970's. Ted taught at Ernie Ball Guitars on Topanga Canyon Blvd in the 1960's, in Canoga Park. Friends and I lived there part time, as did many others. So, when the book came out I was an early beneficiary.
"Modern Chord Progressions", lays off some of the Theory, and just gives page after page of often 4 chord change voicings (think 3-6-2-5 or maybe 1-6-2-b9 progressions of every flavour). These are presented in massive quantities of refined voicings for Jazz or Classical textured guitar chord melody.
I long ago gave away my original copy, and then later gave away a few more copies. I bought one recently, and gave it away within days, and had to order it again. Giving this book to someone is like shining a light in the darkness.
This is a really good book for guitarists that want to play more than the basic chords they find everywhere, and want it to all come together in a seriously beautiful way.
I have recently seen a fan webpage dedicated to Ted Greene with some free online lessons and info about his life.
K.O'Mara
www.komaramusic.net
Book Review: Systematics of Chord Substitution--Very Helpful
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book in the '70s, when I was trying to be a self-taught rock guitarist. It was initially very helpful because of its basic explanation of chord theory--this really advanced my understanding of music in general and the guitar in particular. It also got me interested in jazz, though I didn't really understand much of what he was talking about. Now I play jazz guitar, and this book has been very helpful to me. The book contains pages and pages of different inversions of different chord types, and when you first open the book you might think this is the point, but it's not. The point of the book is found in the sections on chord theory that follow those diagrams. Here Ted Greene gives a very helpful analysis of the principles of chord substitution--these are the basics of jazz guitar comping (accompaniment) and also solo playing. Along with his discussion of the theory, Ted Greene gives many sample ways of playing the things he's discussing, and these are very valuable chord sequences (worth memorizing). My copy of this book is mostly worn out from years of turning the pages, and I can largely chart my musical education in terms of when I digested various parts of this book. It's a book for serious study, but if you're into that, I recommend it highly. His two volumes on single-note soloing are also extremely helpful.Book Review: five stars for the unique chords-four,for lack of enought explanation in certain theoretical areas.
Summary: 5 Stars
Hi! I am a classical guitarist and I have been using chord chemistry for the unique chords in it.
I think that Ted Green's book is a good one in most respects,but like the previous author I have to agree about a couple of things that He left out.
1 voiceleading triads/other voicings could have been put in.
2 He could have explained to the people concerned that most of these chords in use are esoteric ones and that I good book to look to for answers concerning them would be George van eps harmonic mechanisms for guitar.
3 other than that the book is pretty good.
I suggest to those that are interested in buying this book:
Buy contemporary chord Khancepts by Steve Khan before buying this book: buy it afterwards-it is worthwhile but contains alot of advanced information not for the faint of heart.
Suggested applications for studying it.
1 write out and transpose all of the chords up a fourth.
2 take every chord and invert it to the second inversion for
the triads,third inversion for the seventh's,ninths and more
advanced ones.
(...)
Book Review: Beginners Bible for sure, good for more advanced players too
Summary: 5 Stars
If you know someone who has started to play the guitar get them this book. Doubly if they have any interest in jazz, since that is where things head.
The first chapter of the book deals with all of the triad voicings possible, major and minor-- from power chords to very open three note chords. There is a logic to the order and that is no small claim, since there is a TON of material here. It then moves into 7th chords, with the same approach-- list every available voicing for each kind of chord. Maj7, min7, dom7, all extensions (individually and combined), diminished... you get the point. The next half of the book deals with applications-- some chord progressions, some substitution ideas, chord melody concepts, all clearly explained with lots of examples to make sure you understand.
I never got to take a lesson with Ted, but I imagine that this book is not too far off from the wealth of information he would have shared. It builds from the beginning of the book in a logical and musical way, and you can come back to it for years and years and it never gets old.
Most highly recommended.
Book Review: Insanely Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
I see a lot of great guitar players. Many who think they know it all. I ask one question: DO YOU OWN CHORD CHEMISTRY BY TED GREENE? If the answer is no, then the conversation is over. When you've reached a plateau in any genre of guitar playing you need this book. When you've reached it again, it's time to re-read this book. In my musical library, guitar books will come and go. This book will always have a spot on the top shelf. This is not for the beginner, nor the intermediate as it does require a great deal of dedication. Chord Chemistry is the guarded secret of many great players.
From Mark John Sternal
Author of "GUITAR: Total Scales Techniques and Applications"
"GUITAR: Probable Chords"
"Complete Guitar By Ear"
and, "The Twelve Notes Of Music"