Tag: how to play blue in green

Blue in Green Chords:John McLaughlin Guitar Voicing’s

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at the unique chord voicing’s of John McLaughlin’s take on the Bill Evans/Miles Davis classic tune “Blue in Green”.

These, are taken from Rob Carroll’s transcription from live at the Royal Festival Hall London album.

PART 1:

Here, are the chord voicing’s with the odd variation.

The first chord voicing has a barred shape that has the 4th finger fret the high note of G

Musical notation image showing John McLaughlin guitar chord voicing of D minor 11. Diagram highlighting essential chord notes.
Chord diagram for Dm11, illustrating finger placements and positions on the guitar fretboard.

From here, we have a lovely G7b9 chord voicing.

Musical notation depicting a John Mclaughlin G7b9 guitar chord voicing with corresponding fret numbers and tablature.
Chord voicing for G7b9 featured in John McLaughlin’s interpretation of ‘Blue in Green’.

This shape then falls nicely into the Cm9 shape,

Chord diagram for C minor 9 (Cm9) with finger positions shown on guitar strings for John McLaughlin's interpretation of 'Blue in Green'.
Chord voicing diagram for Cm9 used in John McLaughlin’s interpretation of ‘Blue in Green’.

From here, we have one of John’s favourite chords the 13b9. [In this case it is F13b9]

Chord diagram for F13b9 with chord tones indicated on a guitar fretboard. John McLaughlin's guitar chord voicing for 'Blue in Green'.
Chord diagram of F13b9, showcasing the voicing for this jazz chord.

This leads us nicely to BbMaj#11

Music notation for B♭ major chord including #11, with tablature for guitar showing frets 5, 7, and 6. John McLaughlin's chord for Blue in Green
B♭Maj#11 chord diagram, illustrating its unique voicing in the context of jazz guitar.

The next chord is A13 where the C natural note is then added creating A13#9

Sheet music showing the A13 chord notation and tablature, featuring notes and finger positions.
Chord diagram for the A13#9 chord, showcasing its unique voicing.

Once again, we have a barred chord with quite a wide stretch,

Musical sheet notation showing John McLaughlin's D minor 7 chord with numbers 12 and 15 circled in red for blue in green.
Chord diagram for Dm7 showcasing finger placements and fret numbers.

Now we employ the classic 7#9 chord. In this case it is E7#9

And finally, we cadence to a lovely AmMaj7 with a 9th voicing

Guitar chord diagram for AmMaj7, showing finger placement on the fretboard with labeled frets for John McLaughlin's Blue in Green guitar chords..
Diagram illustrating the AmMaj7 chord with a 9th voicing for enhanced tonal richness.

PART 2:

OTHER VAIOUS CHORD VOICING’S USED IN DIFFERENT VERSES:

Here, we have another voicing for Dm9 with the bass resolving a half step to a 1st inversion A+ chord:

Musical sheet displaying the chords Dm9 and A/C# with a highlighted sharp note indicated by a red arrow.
Chord voicing for Dm9 leading to A/C# in a guitar lesson.

Here we have another simple barring chord for Cm9

Musical notation showing Cm9 and F7b9 chords on staff, with corresponding fretboard diagram for guitar.
Chord voicing for Cm9 and F7b9 in the context of John McLaughlin’s interpretation of ‘Blue in Green’.

The next voicing, is a lovely A7b9 voicing that resonates beautifully on the guitar

John McLaughlin's guitar chord diagram for A7b9 guitar chord showing finger positions and fret numbers.
A7b9 chord voicing for John McLaughlin’s Blue in Green guitar chords

This falls naturally into a diminished 7th voicing

Musical notation for E diminished seventh chord over A, showing finger placements for guitar.
Chord diagram of E7 diminished/A, showcasing a complex voicing that requires a wide stretch on the guitar.

This chord is probably the most difficult as it requires a wide stretch. [Please see video above for safe detailed fretting explanation]

John McLaughlin's blue in green Chord diagram for D7sus with tablature indicating finger placement on guitar.
Chord diagram for Dsus7, highlighting its voicing and finger placement.

To complete this verse we have a nice colourful cadence

Sheet music displaying the D7b9 and GMaj7#11 chord notations with corresponding finger positions on a guitar fretboard.
Chord voicings for D7b9 and GMaj7#11, including fretboard diagram.

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