Am I Cheating?

billywestom · Unread post by **billywestom** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 1:31 am

I just wrote a really cool song (in my opinion) using mostly just those "Dave" chords (as in Two Step). I made a solo/outro that is all my own stuff, but I almost feel guilty that I used those chords for the main areas of the song. Anyone else write stuff using only Dave's influence? Maybe I cheated...

KevinGTArch · Unread post by **KevinGTArch** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:37 am

It really depends on what your final song sounds like. Is your main riff a complete copy of Two Step or did you just use the chord formations in a different progression? No one artist can claim certain chords as his or her very own. They may use them over and over again lending those chords to that artist's personal preference or style but I gaurantee you Dave is probably not the first guitarist to use those "two-fingered" chords (i.e. Two Step, Grey Street, Tripping Billies, etc.).

We all have our influences that effect our own playing style....even Dave. So as long as you're not taking a song like #41 as is and re-writting the lyrics to call it your own song - I'd say you're doing fine.

Peace,

Kev

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:28 am

Just out of curiousity I wrote a song with an intro with satellite chords, a verse with two step chords, and a chorus with grey street chords. It doesnt really sound like a dave song (if thats possible since I used his chords) but I think it sounds really good. I dont know if thats cheating but I like it regardless.

ericwormann · Unread post by **ericwormann** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 11:14 am

DmbFanJason · Unread post by **DmbFanJason** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 4:07 pm

KevinGTArch wrote:It really depends on what your final song sounds like. Is your main riff a complete copy of Two Step or did you just use the chord formations in a different progression? No one artist can claim certain chords as his or her very own. They may use them over and over again lending those chords to that artist's personal preference or style but I gaurantee you Dave is probably not the first guitarist to use those "two-fingered" chords (i.e. Two Step, Grey Street, Tripping Billies, etc.).

We all have our influences that effect our own playing style....even Dave. So as long as you're not taking a song like #41 as is and re-writting the lyrics to call it your own song - I'd say you're doing fine.

Peace,

Kev

just to throw it out there...the chord in two step, BTW, is a 3-finger chord.

johntherevelator · Unread post by **johntherevelator** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 4:32 pm

i have a few songs using those 2 step chords, but they sound completely different

i also wrote a song using some of the same chords as ddtw/bartender but in a much different progression, but its weird cuz i wrote it before i learned those songs!

waffle_house_jam · Unread post by **waffle_house_jam** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 6:20 pm

the so-called 'satellite chords' are extremely common. listen to the police, for example. i use those (i think they're called add9ths) all the time, i wouldn't worry about looking like you're copying dave. as for the others, it really depends what the song sounds like.

johntherevelator · Unread post by **johntherevelator** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 6:26 pm

which satellite chords?
in which part of the song are you guys talking about?

gravedigger · Unread post by **gravedigger** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 7:46 pm

johntherevelator wrote:which satellite chords?
in which part of the song are you guys talking about?

the T flat to Y minor 8th suspended 12th part.

actually just the verse riff I think the Absus9 chord or whatever

johntherevelator · Unread post by **johntherevelator** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:26 pm

o.....k................
i thought the verse was the picking part?

KevinGTArch · Unread post by **KevinGTArch** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 8:45 pm

The opening riff in satellite is just a riff based around the Ab flat major scale though I think gravedigger gave it a better name. The rest of the song is just progressions using broken chords - broken chords as in they aren't full barre chords.

As for Two Step - good call. I learned Two Step off a tab that used the "two-fingered" chord approach and haven't bothered looking at the update until now. I've actually seen Dave play it both ways but adding the fingering on the A string really fills it out. You can do the same thing to the two-fingered chords to the jam in LIOG. It really makes that jam even better!

Kevin

johntherevelator · Unread post by **johntherevelator** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:00 pm

yes it does (liog jam)
also grey street and tripping billies

gravedigger · Unread post by **gravedigger** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 10:05 am

KevinGTArch wrote:The opening riff in satellite is just a riff based around the Ab flat major scale though I think gravedigger gave it a better name. The rest of the song is just progressions using broken chords - broken chords as in they aren't full barre chords.

As for Two Step - good call. I learned Two Step off a tab that used the "two-fingered" chord approach and haven't bothered looking at the update until now. I've actually seen Dave play it both ways but adding the fingering on the A string really fills it out. You can do the same thing to the two-fingered chords to the jam in LIOG. It really makes that jam even better!

Kevin

yeah, I learned it the 2-fingered way at first as well, but I saw him play play it with the third finger on the A string like you said, and of course I learned it that way and it fills in the sound a lot more. It's great.

peace

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 5:50 pm

It's not cheating to use an A chord is it???

Go for it and write away, as long as you have originality, they are ALL chords anyway, Dave just uses them alot...

You know the stacked fifths that Dave uses on the verses of Wrehouse (or Satellite), the POLICE used them in SOS way back when!

They are just variations of chords, as long as you are original, you should be happy and fell guilt free that you can even write! :wink:

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