Say you're playing Since I fell for you.First chord is a Dmaj7.

What is an appropriate third chord?

Russ

Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Cmaj7 Fmaj7
When you just give love, and never get love,
Cmaj7 Am7 Dm7 G7
You'd better let love, depart----
F Fm Em A7
I know it's so, and yet I know
D7 G G7
I can't get you out of my heart---

[Verse 1]
Cmaj7 Am7 F G7 Cmaj7 Am7 F
You.........made me leave my happy home.........
G7 F Fm
You took my love, and now you're gone,......
Am7 G Cmaj7 Am7 F G
since I fell....for you .........
-
Cmaj7 Am7 F G7 Cmaj7 Am7 F
Love........brings such misery and pain.........
G F Fm
I guess I'll never be the same,....
Am7 G Cmaj7 F C C7
since I..fell...for you .......

[Chorus]
F Fm
* Well it's too bad, and it's too sad,
Cmaj7 Dmin7 C C7
But I'm still in love with you
F Fm
First you love me, then you snub me.
Cmaj7 Am7 Fm7 G
But what can I do 'cause I'm still in love with you.

Cmaj7 Am7 F G
Well I...........guess I'll never see the
Cmaj7 Am7 F G F Fm
light.......I get the blues most ev-ery night,.....
Am7 G C F C C7 * (F Fm)
since I fell.....for you ...
Am7 G Cmaj7
.......Since I fell.. for--- you....

This is what I use. Probably not sophisticated enough for accomplished jazz players though!

Regardless of key
What I hear and play:

First three chords in intro

1maj7 – VIm7 – IIm7

Here is what I use..

I don't know what chord you are looking for, but don't see anyone mentioning a dim chord.. I have always used it..

Oh here is a page that shows it..

http://www.theguitarguy.com/sinceife.htm


Here is my version with diminished chords

https://app.box.com/s/90egr3ud154jseop3sukz4mg0o1xqg5x

Guitar Guy makes up his own chords. Sometimes they sound great, others, not so much on arranger.

Nice, Donny, thank you ...

My pleasure Tony enjoy..

I was simply trying to show that, depending on interpretation, there are a variety of appropriate chords in most conventional patterns. Fran mentioned a diminished option, which I do often.

Fact is, you can dramatically improve the overall presentation of some tunes to, say, use Cmaj7, A minor 9, D minor 9 and G7, instead of the traditional C, Am, F and G.

Also, a selection of passing chords and "walk-up" faster bass runs between verse and bridge is cool.

I was looking around the other day, and found a Steve Tyrell video of he and Neil Sedaka doing a swing version of Laughter in the Rain. Old Lee Sklar, the famous long haired studio bass player was on the session.

Never knew much about Steve, and wasn't too appreciative of his singing, but really liked the tune and the respect/appreciation between Sedaka and him.

Point is, it's fun to add some "sauce" to tunes, sometimes. Just don't "f*** with the essence of the piece.

End of Rant!

R.

Good point, Russ, and well made ...
BTW, I am also a big fan of the dim ...

Steve Tyrell has a big Vegas following ...