"Easy" Guitar Chords (by The Commodores with Diagrams)

[@alexgoyette2528]

6 years and this still stands tall as the absolute best tutorial for this tune, great work man thanks a million!

[@MarkZabel]

Wow, thanks!

[@austenreid1257]

Jeesh dude… It’s a simple kind of progression in all, but your phrasing is just gorgeous with those jazzy Hendrix licks. You play tremendously well, awesome work man!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@tomascruz674]

i really like your style of teaching... unlike others who go thru each and every finger and fret to show the most basic of chords.fast and efficient. and love those fills..

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Tomas! I appreciate the kind comment!

[@luizcastro7431]

thanks for your video. This song is wonderful and you performed it with great competence and elegance. I was happy and excited I want to pick up my guitar and start playing just like you. Hug.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Mark, I love your lessons. You really explain it well with all the theory mixed in. Thanks for these lessons.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks James. It's great to hear such a kind comment. I really do appreciate it!

[@Terrysoddy]

Yea he explains things very well. Unlike a lot on KZbin

[@thetruthisoutthere8598]

Never thought about how to do the chords on guitar. It's one of the first things I learned on piano.

[@andrewfraser8525]

Thanks for a easy lesson on an easy song with an easy song title! I found the chords at the bridge to be the most challenging part, only because I cant remember the names. I have found a new confidence in my guitar playing recently that I have not had since I was at school, that is down to your excellent videos, lessons and advice which have helped me to play songs I always felt were beyond my ability. Would be great to have a jam with you, if ever you were to visit Scotland. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome Andrew. And thanks for listening! I haven't been to Scotland since 1999. Far too long. Back then I was in a "folk kick" and played many Scottish folk tunes. The only one I can remember is "Dargai". Would *love* to come back sometime soon, and I'd be more than pleased to jam with you - songs from 20 years ago or 200 years ago!

[@zenncatt]

Very good job, Mark. Keep them coming!

[@MarkZabel]

Will do. Thanks for watching!

[@craigchicks9149]

Very nice, easy to follow and understand.. thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback.

[@sam-sy8vi]

Such a quality lesson!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you!

[@tonymccormick21]

Brilliant, thanks, loved it

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@VBVTV]

Your rendition is spot on!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@VBVTV]

You're welcome. I'm using, for the into, the chord progression A flat major, c minor 7, b flat minor 7 and e flat 11, but your pick pattern and voicing has helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@paulcrooks4467]

Respect Mr Richie

[@MarkZabel]

No doubt!

[@JayJapChae]

Thank you so much, this video was awesome! Please keep making more!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! I'll keep doing them!

[@DenisGatsso]

Pour moi la meilleure version pour guitare sur KZbin..

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you. Very kind!

[@rajeshgumber363]

Excellent!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@budandbean1]

Love this Mark, such a great tune. Thank you so much, I really liked the way you changed the chords, that made them come alive. Plus, the fills at the end of the lesson were really nice to learn.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Buddy!

[@tomadkins7]

Song is in Ab major. I don't like flat keys either, but G# major has 6 sharps and a double sharp. It is theoretical in nature and rarely used.

[@luizcastro7431]

Olá Mark tudo bem? São Paulo, Brasil. Que aula maravilhosa, melhor até hoje. Parabéns!

[@jendunn]

love your song choices. Very clear instruction. thanks!!!

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for listening!

[@TXprimeFishing13]

Nice!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@yrulooknatme]

always liked that song.. nice to learn how it's done... good one!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@readmails3033]

Thank you sir

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome.

[@paulcrooks4467]

Thanks Mark

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@christosjg]

Great!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!!

[@thomascraig74ify]

Great dude

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Thomas!

[@ferpalac2194]

muy buena leccion

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@rajeshgumber363]

Hello Mark, I'm learning to play this and need your advice Whats a C sharp with an F & the bass mean and how to play it? Also the part at 30-31 seconds which fret and strings are you playing? Would appreciate this. Thanks.

[@MarkZabel]

A C#/F chord (C sharp with F in the bass) is exactly what it sounds like - a C# chord with a F as the lowest (bass) note in the chord. Here is the chord diagram, which is in the description of the video - www.dropbox.com/s/tk0c279c72kgz9m/Easy%20Chord%20Diagrams.pdf?dl=0 As far as the improvised fill I do at 0:30, it's just an improvised line, so I didn't think about it. Looking at my fingers, it appears that it starts on the 4th string 6th fret. Then on 5th string 8th and 6th frets. Then on 6th string, 8th, 6th, and 4th frets.

[@rajeshgumber363]

Mark Zabel Thankyou so much Mark for taking the time to reply with the details, great!

[@AbahSunny]

Thanks bruuuuh

[@MarkZabel]

Sure thing. Thanks for watching!

[@chuckm4540]

I have the same shirt!

[@MarkZabel]

Cool! I got it in Grand Cayman a few years back. Nice in summer!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi Mark, great presentaion as always! What Ibanez Hollow body model is that? Also can you do a lesson on Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Pride and Joy" the Electric Guitar version? Thanks again.

[@MarkZabel]

It's an AXD82p. Discontinued about 10 years ago. Great guitar. It needed a little fretwork and I've changed the pickups from the stock ones. I'll put "Pride and Joy" on the list!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi Mark, on the AXD82P, what type of pickups do you put on it? Seymour Duncans?

[@MarkZabel]

+Angel Martinez GFS Surf90s. Kind of like DeArmond type pickups. The stock pickups were kind of muddy.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Okay, cool! Thank you. Outstanding lesson as always.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@ericswolgaard1808]

You have aided me greatly in learning this formerly unknown song that was just assigned me by my practice band! One question- what are your thoughts on viewing the 4th chord in the verse as a V dominant 11th rather than a IV chord with bass note a step higher than the chord- it seems to function then as a I-iiim-iim-V-----Thanks for your lesson

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Eric. Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. Please correct me on any of the following I have gotten wrong. I'm having a hard time thinking of it the way you suggest. I'm having an especially hard time with the #11. (In G we would have D as the V and so the #11 would be G#. That's a very tense note.) The 11th works well, so a sus4 type chord can work. I really think that Lionel Richie really was thinking of how to stay on that iim chord without putting to much tension into it, so he could keep it smooth ... keep it "easy." But on the other hand, using a iim V to get back to the I chord is about the most natural thing in music. So I'm a bit perplexed, because I'm trying to make your suggestion work! :) Thanks for the interesting question!

[@ericswolgaard1808]

Thanks for your reply- I may have caused a confusion by suggesting the chord in question was a #11- I meant a straight dom 11th - spelled from the bottom up as a root, b7, 9, and 11 or sus 4- the same chord as you demonstrated only seen as a 5 dom 11 rather than a 4 chord with the bass note a step higher- I see your point about the ii chord staying there without resolving to a V chord to create a smooth feeling- anyway- Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

With the 11 instead of the #11 the I iii ii V framework works.

[@lukessummerguitar]

Mark, how about Eddie Hinton's ( of Muscle Shoals fame ) fantastic solo on The Staple Singers "I'll take you there"?

[@MarkZabel]

Sure. You mean the stuff at about 1:35, right?

[@nilolalu742]

Sir i want to request tell mama savoy brown tutorial

[@MarkZabel]

Good song. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll consider it.

[@johnnycongamusic]

Really awesome!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@ravensmead1558]

love it Mark , it's also quite " Jimmy Webb " as well ….??

[@MarkZabel]

I guess I never thought about that. I'm not really all that familiar with his songs. I'm not sure why, because the songs he did for Glen Campbell are among the best pop songs ever. Do you have a song or two in mind? I will give them a listen!

[@ravensmead1558]

…Galveston ..Wichita Lineman ..and even " raindrops keep falling on my head " have a sneaky eleventh chord in there ..i was lucky enough to meet Jimmy at Warwick theatre , just him and a piano it was magical …check out Jimmy Webb ……..

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, Galveston and Wichita Lineman and the others Glen played (by the Time I Get to Phoenix is another famous one of Jimmy's) are all great. Didn't remember Raindrops. I thought that was Burt Bacharach. That's great you got to meet him and hear him play. Already listened to a bunch this afternoon. Thanks!

[@ravensmead1558]

yes it was Burt , but a fine example of that eleventh chord ….gets me every time like a G chord with an A Bass ….

[@yajyaj3819]

Sir your the best thanks

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Jay!!

[@pjmoreau]

Nice thx

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure Paul. Thanks for watching!

[@HairpieceThieffeels]

what guitar is that?

[@MarkZabel]

Ibanez AXD82P

[@rob7335]

but make up your mind witch one you want to play.

[@tricolor6184]

Play a music ??????

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, I do play music. Are you looking for the chord diagrams? They are in the description of the video.

[@tricolor6184]

Ok... greatest artist Mark Zabel

[@MarkZabel]

@@tricolor6184 Sorry man ... I don't really understand what you were asking or what you're trying to say now. I thought you might be asking for the chord diagrams. I'm just a guitar teacher on KZbin and a mathematician during the day.

[@tricolor6184]

Ok...Mark... What I wanted to say is that your lesson on KZbin is great, but it would be better if you played the song from start to finish... Anyway your class helped...thank you

[@MarkZabel]

@@tricolor6184 OK. I understand now. Thanks for the feedback. That's helpful. Thanks!