Best of Open Mic at the Lazy Dog

It's been awhile since I've posted.

On Friday, August 29, 2008, I was fortunate to perform about 50 minutes of my songs. I chose a mix of guitar and piano songs for this performance. The Lazy Dog Coffeehouse was filled and it was a great time. Many thanks to my friends, co-workers, family and the open mic friends who joined in the night. I shared the night with two other talented folks, John and Liz.

It was an outstanding night!!!! This was my second non-open mic experience where I could play more than three songs. This, by far, was so enjoyable and fun. I never felt a sense of nervousness or uncomfortable that friends and family were all eyes and ears before me.

I also just want to thank David, Denyse, Jim and all the folks at the Lazy Dog. Thanks for giving me the opportunity, for believing in me and supporting my original music. They've got a great place going there.

Thanks to my co-workers... for traveling the distance and the support.

I need another gig!

Chords: When 2 and 6 give you 5

Much of country and rock music use the standard I, IV and V (or 1, 4, and 5) chords throughout a song. In the key of D major, these chords are D major, G major and A major. Basic blues music also uses these chords but typically add the minor 7th and in a prescribed blues chord progression.

Two simple chords, the ii (2) and vi (6), or E minor and B minor, offer some variety when writing a song. They almost sound like the IV-4 and V-5 chords, differing by one note each in their chord makeup. The addition of the minor 7th in each of the ii-2 and vi-6 can also have a nice effect.

In the key of D major, the ii-2 chord, E minor, transitions nicely to the V-5 or A Major chord. The vi-6 or B minor chord moves well to the vi-6, E minor and then to V-5 or A. The iv-6 is common in the D - Bm - G - A - D or I - vi -IV - V - I progression.

So, the next time you're struggling to find that 'different' chord or one that may better match or support your melody, try the ii-2 or vi-6 chord. It might just be the one.

See how adding 2 and 6 give you 5 chords to use in a song?

Note: This works in any key. I chose the key of D major for example only.

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