Finding a precise guitar tab for Albert Collins’ rendition of “If Trouble Were Money” can be tricky. Official transcriptions are scarce, but don’t let that stop you from capturing the essence of his iconic blues sound. Instead of solely relying on tablature, let’s explore how you can approach learning this song by understanding Albert’s techniques and the underlying musical concepts.
Understanding Albert Collins’ Approach to “Money”
Albert Collins, known for his “Master of the Telecaster” title and ice-pick attack, often employed the minor pentatonic scale as a foundation for his electrifying blues solos. For “If Trouble Were Money,” and similar tunes, a great starting point is the minor pentatonic scale pattern rooted at the 8th fret on the low E string.
This pattern encompasses these notes across the neck:
- Low E String: 8th and 10th frets
- A String: 8th and 10th (sometimes a passing 11th fret note for flavor)
- D String: 8th and 10th (and 11th can be used)
- G, B, and High E Strings: 8th, 10th, and 11th frets
This pentatonic box provides the core notes for improvising and creating bluesy licks in the style of Albert Collins.
Exploring Positions and Chord Shapes for “Money”
To accompany your lead lines and create a fuller sound, you can explore chord shapes around the 8th fret. A basic approach is to use barre chords and variations.
One common chord shape starts with a barre at the 8th fret, providing a root on the low E string. Here’s a breakdown of the notes within this shape:
- Low E: 8th fret (Barre)
- A: 10th fret
- D: 8th fret (Barre)
- G: 9th fret
- B: 11th fret
- High E: 8th fret (Barre)
Another useful chord shape, offering a different voicing, involves muting the low E string and focusing on the higher strings:
- Low E: X (Muted)
- A: 8th fret
- D: 7th fret
- G: 8th fret
- B: 6th fret
- High E: X (Muted)
You can also create variations of this shape by moving it up and down the neck. For instance, shifting the second shape up two frets will create a different chord within the progression.
Remember that Albert Collins was known to frequently use a capo, often around the 7th fret. This changes the key and can affect the exact fret positions, but the underlying pentatonic scale patterns and chord shapes remain adaptable.
Learning “Money” by Ear and Experimentation
Ultimately, the best way to learn “If Trouble Were Money” in the spirit of Albert Collins is to listen closely to recordings. Pay attention to his phrasing, note choices, and the interplay between lead and rhythm guitar (especially if you listen to versions featuring Gary Moore).
Experiment with the pentatonic patterns and chord shapes described above. Don’t be afraid to “play around” and find what sounds right to your ear. Blues guitar is about feel and expression, and by exploring these techniques, you can develop your own interpretation of “If Trouble Were Money” in the style of a blues master.
