Super noob question....

[BloodRose]

this may be a moronic question, but I need to ask. (sorry if this is foolish) Cuz I think Im over thinking the guitar..
Ok, much is said about the simplistics of punk and such. I was watching an interview with Bill Kelliher of Mastodon and he mentioned something, which Ive heard before. He stated that Johnny Ramone only played 3 chords. But when I see him play, it looks as tho he is moving around. Are they referring to just three shapes with barre chords? when I think 3 chords, I think A, D, G. Im guessing they are saying uses 3 shapes and moves up and down the neck, right? If so, what are the shapes?
thanks!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Super noob question....

A lot of the time, JR was using ONE chord shape (the open E Major shape) up and down the neck. Obviously, for most positions, the first finger bars across all six strings. Down strokes for ever.

If you want to vary things up a little, check out Ron Asheton of The Stooges.

 

[Securb]

Re: Super noob question....

Not a bad question for a noob. Johnny Ramone played more than 3 chord shapes - listen to the song Questioningly from Road to Ruin for example. What I think Bill Kelliher is referring to (I didn't hear the context in which he said it) was that The Ramones played 3 chord rock. It is a chord progression based on the blues I-IV-V. I think he is referring to a style of music more than Johnny's fingerings. The I-IV-V is also a staple of country, jazz and folk as a guitarist you should get comfortable playing a I-IV-V in all keys. Many bands Aerosmith, AC/DC, The Clash, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin turn to this musical device more often than not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-chord_song

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_progression

 

[DankStar]

Re: Super noob question....

I thought it was just a euphamism for he keeps most songs simple.

 

[Securb]

Re: Super noob question....

I thought it was just a euphamism for he keeps most songs simple.

Definitely so. But it evolved from the bands of the 50's and 60's basing everything around the I-IV-V. Bands that play 3 chord rock use more than the I-IV-V and definitely more than 3 chords.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Super noob question....

Whoa! He played THREE chords:?: I need to step up my game.







(I believe your question had been answered adequately in prior posts)

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Super noob question....

A lot of the time, JR was using ONE chord shape (the open E Major shape) up and down the neck. Obviously, for most positions, the first finger bars across all six strings. Down strokes for ever.

If you want to vary things up a little, check out Ron Asheton of The Stooges.

Sadly most stooges vid focuses mostly on Iggy. I really like Wayne Kramer or the MC5, but he's a pretty proficient player.

When I see vids of the ramones It looks like he is pretty much just using barre chords in the same fingering. (E and A?) Just up and down the neck. When it comes to playing, Im really theory/and terminology challenged. (too much time pup swapping and not enuff time playing)