“Armando’s Rhumba” by Chick Corea is a vibrant and iconic piece in the Latin jazz repertoire, celebrated for its infectious rhythm and rich harmonic language. This lesson, brought to you by guitarplayers.net, is designed to guide you through the guitar chords to Armando’s Rhumba, offering a comprehensive chord study with tablature based on the esteemed Latin Real Book version in C minor. Whether you’re an experienced jazz guitarist or looking to expand your chord vocabulary, this breakdown of “Armando’s Rhumba” guitar chords will provide valuable insights and practical tools.
This exploration focuses on the four main sections of the tune (A-B-C-D), providing you with the essential chord shapes and progressions to master this Latin jazz standard. You’ll encounter a variety of seventh chords, including minor 7th (min7), major 7th (maj7), diminished 7th (dim7), and dominant 7th (dom7) chords, utilizing drop 2, drop 3, and rootless voicings. Additionally, we’ll touch upon basic triads (minor, augmented) and altered dominant chords (7#9, 7b13), enriching your understanding of jazz harmony in a Latin context.
Part A: Foundation of the Rhumba
The A section establishes the harmonic foundation of “Armando’s Rhumba.” Over eight bars, you’ll navigate through five key chords: Cm, Cm7, D7, G7b13, and G7b13/F. The suggested rhythm is fingerstyle-oriented and intentionally simplified, encouraging you to develop your personal rhythmic interpretation and feel for this Latin groove.
Part B: Expanding the Harmonic Palette
Part B extends the harmonic landscape over 12 bars, introducing a richer sequence of eleven chords. This section includes C7, Fm, D7/F#, Gm, Abdim7, Adim7, Eb/Bb (spanning two bars), Bb7sus(b9), E7#9, Eb, and Gaug. The repeat bar at the end of Part B directs you back to the beginning of Part A, creating the cyclical structure characteristic of the tune.
Parts C and D: Soloing and Melodic Connection
Parts C and D transition into a solo section, where the focus shifts to melodic phrasing over the chord changes. The concept here is to approach chord connection with short melodic lines, similar to how a bass player or pianist might outline the harmony. Part C, spanning eight bars, revisits the chord progression of Part A but substitutes Gaug for G7b13, offering a slight harmonic variation. Part D mirrors the chord progression of Part B but introduces different voicings and chord positions, encouraging exploration and improvisation. Experiment with crafting your own melodic lines and rhythmic patterns to truly personalize your performance.
By studying these “Armando’s Rhumba” guitar chords and practicing the provided tabs, you’ll gain a solid foundation for playing this captivating piece. Remember to explore different rhythms, voicings, and melodic ideas to make this lesson your own and truly capture the spirit of Chick Corea’s Latin jazz masterpiece.
