The Real Chords for "Diamond Dust" by Bernie Holland

[flattened9th]

Bernie, I've been mesmerized by your hauntingly beautiful composition since I bought Blow by Blow when it first came out. I figured out the changes 30 odd years ago by wearing out the vinyl and I still find myself humming it while I'm pottering about the house. This masterpiece of yours has become one of the musical screensavers in my mind. Thanks for harmonically enriching my playing at an early age when I could easily have been learning Slade tunes!

[rcagianese]

Great tune I learned it and played it with Mp3 backup tracks!

[stratoleft]

I'm so glad you left this up Bernie so I could get back to doing this. I have it turned down and I can actually hear an orchestra in my mind which is the way it should be. Just like Allan Holdsworth's 4.15 Bradford Executive, Diamond Dust needs to be played with Bernie on guitar and an orchestra. It doesn't matter who; Boston or where I am in Louisiana. Indianapolis has a symphony too and they need to learn this so I could go see it happen. This song has too much graceful energy to do otherwise.

[stratoleft]

Wow! I finally got around to doing this. The happy part is that minor ninth thing just goes to other positions which makes things not so many different type of chords to remember. Just like the first open chord there for example, played also on the third fret, the 8th position and also the first position which is the Eb one. I got the Bmajb5 to Gbmaj9 with the Db transition real smooth, which is amazing how Bernie actually came up with this! How on earth did you dream up such a masterpiece?

[macccarioca]

Hey Bernie,

Such a wonderful pleasure seeing you play one of the most beatiful songs I ever heard. I'm musician from Brazil. I was about my 12 years old when I bought "Blow by blow" and I felt in love for this song. I actually try to transcribed the song long ago and I heard the first chord with the 9 instead 11. Now seeing you playing is just amazing!

Thank you so much for have written this song and now sharing with us.

Marco Castillo!

[deborahknight20]

Hey are you the Bernie that was with back door that used to come to our flat (lennox Langton)?? I think it is you. How marvelous to see you again I had some real laughs with you. Debbie.xxxxx

[FreedomZealot]

This is an incomparably beautiful composition. Until today I hadn't been aware that you were its composer. *Thank you* so much. This song is my favorite guitar instrumental of all time.

From your experience, does Mr. Beck understand the theory behind this song, or does his simply have an uncanny natural gift for improvisation?

[loonpolice1]

I've played this song for years on the piano. What a great song, the best.

[cruzbricker]

Simply f&^%^%ing beautiful stuff!! What on gods earth were you on when you wrote this, as it is out of this world gorgeous!

As usual, the exceptional ones are humble.

I could never figure this out, and believe me I TRIED...... thanks so much.

[regoss]

This is one of my all time favorite songs. Its a timeless classic. Thank you Mr. Holland.

[sludgefingers]

Always liked this tune. One of the best tunes on one of the greatest guitar albums.

[MrTrueseventh]

Like a lot of others here , I've known this song since it came out.

When I first heard it as a 16 yr old in 1976 , it devastated me . When I listen to it

now as a 49 yr old , it kills me. Great tune man!

[filmarto12]

a personal wish: that you'd upgrade to hd and/or at least with a better "compressed" audio...cheers (anyway, awesome "historical" video, thx a lot)

[mojopin52]

Hi Bernie,

I just saw Jeff Beck play at a festival where I live in Byron Bay and was reminded of one B Holland. Interestingly I had a chat with someone else you may know,Brian Auger who finally got to play in Australia. Still has great chops. Chris Spedding also played.. Later

Max

[donsadler1970]

Thank you Bernie for breaking down one of the greatest melodies of all time. The melody with the strings on the Blow by Blow album takes your mind on a journey to another dimension. Thanks for the trip.

[pqwilson]

Excellent break down of the progression, thanks for sharing.

What key signature would this have been written in?

[paunero1972]

I Think that "Blow by Blow" itself, its just like an Soundtrack...Its a pity that never appeared in some movie. All the tracks

about this album makes me imagine scenes of a movie, and the finale, Diamond Dust is pure beauty...Dont forget that the string arrangement was done by George Martin, the Fifth Beatle... Thanks Bernie....!!!!

[doowop2302]

Diamond Dust is a genius composition, my heart breaks more and more with each chord. Jeff Beck was a very lucky man to be given this beautiful piece of music to record.

[stanpan98]

It was very generous of you to share the chord sequence with us.  Thanks.

[TMOGaeta]

the one and only song that still makes me cry at the age of 47 every time I heard it.... Please Mr. Holland can you tell me if you have thought about something of particular when you've composed this song? Thank you, I have my idea about that.......

[JamesHunterRoss]

One of my favorites of all time. And the string arrangement on Blow by Blow brings the tune to new majesty. Thanks for this Bernie. How many tunes are in "five" too; what a revelation when I hit in five and actually got to counting it. I never would have tried the chords, so thanks again. This is such a beautiful song.

[loverools]

Bernie......u are a gift.... thank you for an imtimate glimpse of your masterpiece....this tune has been in my soul since 1975......i had worked out the changes many years ago and at one point i even approached it with the dropped d spin...how interesting.....years ago i found a VERY accurate midi file with all the strings and piano very dialed in....lost it in a crash...crossing my fingers someone out there has it....(fingers crossed)

[stratoleft]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I used to actually try and sing your song to myself. Sort of hum it, you know. I thought even doing that, it was too complicated, let alone playing it, and I would just sort of sing the general theme.

It's an honor to finally see the composer of this masterpiece.

[ThePandorasbox13]

Thank you for posting this video, Mr. Holland. This is one of my favorite guitar songs, and now I can easily figure out how to play it. Once I get another band together, I hope to cover this piece. Thanks again.

[Bojazzki]

Mr. Holland,

You sir, are most generous. Thanks so much for sharing this.  Ive been thinking about giving this a go and now I will for sure ! (Athough I'm alot better at buying guitars than playing them.)

Thanks and Regards,

Dick

[pebberbrown]

Ahhhh well Bernie its about bloody time! I was wondering when you would join us! Yeah man my favorite tune of all - I REALLY appreciate this video because I know I 've bolloxed the chords. Anyway I hope you like my version....

Hope to chat someday...

Pebber Brown

[taildragger51]

pebberbrown: Your chords were spot on Pebber.

 I have been analysing both versions. Perhaps in two places you had different names but the same chord is used. The only difference is Bernies are stretched over 6 frets in most places.

[perromanchado]

lovely piece. reminds me a little of john mclaughlin

[Tonavid]

Bernie,

Like the others here, I have been mesmerized by the mood of this song for 33 years. I have been searching youtube for ages for this song in hopes of finding what I found today. Can't wait for you to post your completed version. One of the most unique songs ever. Maybe then you can fill us in of any background behind the title :-)

[bernieholland775]

Hi There

Just to let you know that my version of Diamond Dust has now been uploaded to You Tube as "Diamond Dust" - The Bernie Holland version.

Hope you like it - if you do, then tell your friends.

Regards

Bernie

[lonegroover]

That's my Wednesday evening sorted if the Smirnoff Black in the fridge doesn't intervene ;-)

You're a star for doing this Bernie - thanks. Wonderful tune. Hope to post my own version on YouTube one day.

[lonegroover]

@lonegroover .. and I did. Thanks, Bernie.

[Robokiller80]

Thank you sir for composing one of my all time favorite pieces of music. One question. I'm not sure if you know, but did jeff beck improvise this solo or was it a premeditated thing?

[wmaia]

Thank you, Bernie for this video! Diamond Dust shines over this darksome universe of "fast food music". Absolutely provocative. Delight for our senses. Diamonds are forever!

[philgar5]

I heard this piece over 20 years ago. I was knocked out by it. I still am ! One of my absolute favourites. Now I can play it . Thanks Bernie. You're a legend.

[bernieholland775]

Glad to help you my friend ! By the way watch out for my own version of the complete tune which I am currently recording and will post to you tube when finished

[taildragger51]

Bernie, many thanks for the train photos on "jazz guitar forum"..i haven't been back there. God bless you my friend!

[bernieholland775]

Hi There

Just to let you know that my version of Diamond Dust has now been uploaded to You Tube as "Diamond Dust" - The Bernie Holland version.

Hope you like it - if you do, then tell your friends.

Regards

Bernie

[taildragger53]

@bernieholland775 Hope you are Bernie.

 haven't heard from you for awhile...i take it you're not on "facebook"? (ha ha) Best wishes to you and yours, peter.