series of guitar lessons circulated in "News", in the pre-web days of the Internet. 29 lessons were written before it died out, and I happende to write the first three. They represent a little bit of internet history, as they may have been the first guitar lessons written for the internet.
The lessons were all written in txt format - they were written around the same time as Tim Berners Lee were sitting in Switzerland specifing the first version of html. I have converted them to html, and may have added a few links from the lessons.Lesson: 28
Title: Top Note Chords (voice leading)
Level: Intermediate
Style: Technique
Instructor: Kevin Morgan
The subject of this lesson is the development of voice leading capability, coupled with increasing your chord vocabulary.
We will be working in a major key based on the major scale (i.e., a key based on a scale where the interval spacing between notes is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where W means whole tone and H means half tone). As you should be aware to make full use of this lesson, the triad chords that arise from such a scale, if the starting note is C, are:
C Dm Em F G Am Bdim
The 7th chords that arise from such a scale (starting again at C) are:
Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7 Am7 Bdim7
Of course, these chords (formed from our scale) can be extended further to include 9's, 11's, and 13's. As those notes are included, the specifics of each chord diverge even more (in the same way that at the triad level, both F and G were simple major chords, but at the four note/7th level, the F extended to Fmaj7, while the G extended to G7).
Now let me explain where we are headed. I want you to develop an ability to play four note chords for ALL chords in the key, with ANY of the possible notes in the FULLY EXTENDED (i.e., up to the 13th) chord "on top" (highest tone in the chord). Hence, working with C out of the key of C major, we will be able to play four note C chords where the top note is any of:
C D E F G A B
root 9th 3rd 11th 5th 13th maj7th
When looked at this way, it becomes relatively clear: we are talking about
playing varieties of a C chord with ANY of the notes in the key on top.Another way of organizing this list is by position in the chord instead of in the scale:
C E G B D F A
root 3rd 5th maj7th 9th 11th 13th
Our approach to forming useful chords will be to put the root of all chords
into the bass, and always use the 5th string for this root. We won't be
delving into inversions in this lesson. And why use the 5th string? Only
one good reason: when playing with a root on the 5th string, you have "easy
access" to the 5th of the chord on the 6th string, same fret (for all but
the diminished chord, which as a b5 instead of a normal 5th). Thus, we have
convenient access to an alternate bass tone, for creating some bass
movement (you've heard the term "alternating bass"?).Also, with 4 note chord voicing, we will be forced to be selective about which notes go into the chord (i.e., a full 13th chord has all 7 notes in the key in it!). In general we'll be trying to get the 3rd and 7th, which are most significant in defining the character or "type" of the chord. As we've already said, we'll always have the root (on the 5th string), or optionally, the 5th (on the 6th string), in the bass.
We will use a system that will give us, for each of the seven chords in the key, seven different voicings, where each voicing has a different one of the seven possible notes in the key in the upper voice. Hence, we are going to cover 7x7 = 49 chords. But don't panic (yet!). Enough talk, let's play.
Our starting point is Cmaj7, the first chord in the key (C major) we are working in, and the first voicing we want is with the ROOT of Cmaj7 (C) as the highest tone, and the ROOT of Cmaj7 on the 5th string. Here's the chord in tab:
Cmaj7:
--- x ---
--- 1 --- C (root) (1st finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (4th finger)
--- 2 --- E (3rd) (2rd finger)
--- 3 --- C (root) (3nd finger)
--- x ---
This is a nice maj7 voicing (if you ask my opinion). The "adjacent" tones
of the maj7 and the root on the 3rd and 2nd strings gives it a nice feel.
Note there is no 5th, but it's hardly missed.Now what we are going to do is, using the same voicing structure, play ALL the chords in the key. That is, we'll use the same root on 5 string, 3rd on 4th string, 7th (or maj7) on 3rd string, and root on 2nd string chord structure, making adjustments based on the specific chord (b3 for minor, 7th for 7th chords, etcetera).
Hence, the next chord "up" in the key is Dm7, which is:
Dm7:
--- x ---
--- 3 --- D (root) (1st finger)
--- 5 --- C (7th) (4th finger)
--- 3 --- F (b3rd) (1st finger)
--- 5 --- D (root) (3rd finger)
--- x ---
Note the barre on fret 3. 3rd and 4th fingers can "slide" up from the Cmaj7
chord without repositioning, and vice-versa.The next chord is Em7, and it has the same shape/fingering as Dm7, only two frets higher up (barre is on the 5th fret).
The next chord is Fmaj7, and it has the same shape/fingering as Cmaj7, but with the third finger on the F at the 8th fret of the 5th string, and 1st finger on the F at the 6th fret of the 2nd string.
The next chord is G7, and now we have a new shape (but same general "formula" of root-3rd-7-root, 5th to 2nd string). This one is probably familiar to you as a "C7" shape:
G7:
--- x ---
--- 8 --- G (root) (1st finger)
--- 10 --- F (7th) (4th finger)
--- 9 --- B (3rd) (2nd finger)
--- 10 --- G (root) (3rd finger)
--- x ---
Next is Am7, with the same shape as our other m7 chords, barre on the 10th
fret.Last is Bdim7. The difference between a diminished 7 and a minor is the b5 in the diminished chord. Our chord voicings have no 5th at all, so the shape for our Bdim7 is the same as our m7 chords. In fact, with no b5, you could say we aren't really playing a Bdim7, but...let's not quibble. When played in the context of the other chords in the key, it's a Bdim7. This one has the barre on fret 12 (or no barre at the nut, with the 5th and 3rd strings fretted at fret 2; in this open position, be sure to keep the 1st string quiet!).
Okay...we've now covered all chords in the key of C major, using a voicing that puts the root on top. Next up are all the chords in C major using a 3rd on top.
These are easy, because they are familiar to you. Our formula will be root- 5th-7th-3rd on the 5th through 2nd strings. This gives us our standard A7 chord shapes. We start with the Cmaj7 played as:
Cmaj7:
--- x ---
--- 5 --- E (3rd) (4th finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (2nd finger)
--- 5 --- G (5th) (3rd finger)
--- 3 --- C (root) (1st finger)
--- x ---
Familiar, right? I'm going to assume you either know or can work out on
your own the rest of the chords in the key using this
formula/fingering/chord shape. Note that because we have the 5th in these
chords, the Bdim7 IS a different shape from the rest of the minor chords.Now lets drop back to the chord voicings with the 9th on top. These you probably are less familiar with across the board. Our formula for these voicings is root-3rd-7th-9th on strings 5-4-3-2. The first two you probably are familiar with, particularly you jazzer types:
Cmaj7(9):
--- x ---
--- 3 --- D (9th) (3rd finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (4th finger)
--- 2 --- E (3rd) (1st finger)
--- 3 --- C (root) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
Dmi7(9) (or Dmi9) :
--- x ---
--- 5 --- E (9th) (4th finger)
--- 5 --- C (7th) (3rd finger)
--- 3 --- F (b3rd) (1st finger)
--- 5 --- D (root) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
Now we hit a rather interesting and less known chord shape. The Emi7 is the
iii chord in the key of C major. We are forming 9 chords _within_the_key_,
and the 9th of Emi in the key is F, which relative to the Emi chord is a
b9. Hence, the chord is: Emi7(b9)
--- x ---
--- 6 --- E (9th) (2nd finger)
--- 5 --- C (7th) (4th finger)
--- 5 --- F (b3rd) (1st finger)
--- 7 --- D (root) (3rd finger)
--- x ---
The next chord is Fmaj7(9), with the same shape as the Cmaj7(9) chord. The
2nd finger goes on the 8th fret of the 5th string (the F, whaddya know).
Next is G9 (or G7(9), either way). This is a familiar chord shape also: G9:
--- x ---
--- 10 --- A (9th) (2nd finger)
--- 10 --- F (7th) (1st finger)
--- 9 --- B (3rd) (3rd finger)
--- 10 --- G (root) (4th finger)
--- x ---
Next is Ami9 (or Ami7(9)), with the same shape as Dmi9, with the D bass
note on the 10th fret of the 5th string.Next is Bdim7(b9)), with the same as the Emi9. Why? Because both have b9's! And that does it for four notes voicings with the root on the fifth string and the 9ths (within the key) in the top voice.
So far, we've covered roots in the top voice, 3rds in the top voice, and 9ths in the top voice, for a total of 3*7 = 21 different chords, although again, many have the same "shape" and hence are the same chord structure.
Let's go to fifths. However, I'm now going to speed this up because you should now have the concept. Once we define a "formula" for the chord (a particular set of strings and a particular selection of chord tones to go on each string), you should be able to work out the fingerings for the entire set of such chords within the key.
So the formula we will use for putting the 5th on top is to use strings 5- 3-2-1, with root, 7th, 3rd, and 5th on the respective strings. So for Cmaj7 we have:
Cmaj7:
--- 3 --- G (5th) (2nd finger)
--- 5 --- E (3rd) (4th finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (3rd finger)
--- x ---
--- 3 --- C (root) (1st finger)
--- x ---
My guess is most of you haven't used this chord form before! I'll give you
one more (which may be a little more familiar), then, you're on your own
with the rest of the 5th on top chords: Dmi7: --- 5 --- A (5th) (3rd finger)
--- 6 --- F (b3rd) (4th finger)
--- 5 --- C (7th) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
--- 5 --- D (root) (1st finger)
--- x ---
Now work out the rest: Emi7, Fmaj7, G7, Ami7, Bdim7. Which ones have
different shapes from the above? G7 and Bdim7.Moving on...lets cover the chords with the 11th on top. Here we are going to use a kind of funky formula because, well, because I like it and the fingering works out well. Again, we are working on the 5-3-2-1 string set, and the formula is root-7-9-11. No 3rd, no 5th. Now you could probably rename this chord as some bizarre inversion of something or other, but let's not confuse our concept. If you are playing the chords discussed so far in a key (or any other chords in the key), and throw this in, the surrounding music will "fill in" the sense of the chord. In a band situation, the bass will in all likelihood hit the 5th for you at some point and maybe the 3rd too, etcetera. So let's flow with it.
Of course, there's the issue of what the heck I call these chords. Okay, I'm going to cheat. I'm going to call the first one a Cmaj7(9)(11), and (wink wink) hey there's no 3rd or 5th in the voicing, sorry about that.
Cmaj7(9)(11):
--- 1 --- F (11th) (1st finger)
--- 3 --- D (9th) (3rd finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (4th finger)
--- x ---
--- 3 --- C (root) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
One more: Dmi7(9)(11):
--- 3 --- G (11th) (1st finger)
--- 5 --- E (9th) (4th finger)
--- 5 --- C (7th) (3rd finger)
--- x ---
--- 5 --- D (root) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
These will test your understanding of our chord construction concept as you
work out the rest of the chords in the key of C major, because almost every
shape is different here. Here are the chord spellings that indicate why:Cmaj7(9)(11) Dmi7(9)(11) (or just Dmi11) Emi7(b9)(11) Fmaj7(9)(#11) G7(9)(11) (or just G11) Ami7(9)(11) (or just Ami11) Bdim7(b9)(11)So the ii chord and the vi chord have the same shape/spelling, and the iii and vii chords also (since there is no fifth in these chords).
Only the 7th and 13th are left to handle.
For the 7th on top, we'll "cheat" and go to a 5 string voicing. Why? Because the fingering, using a barre, is much easier. If you're plucking, you can still pluck just 4 strings (5-3-2-1 recommended). The string set we will use is 5-4-3-2-1. The formula is root-5th-7th-3rd-7th. The shapes are the same as the shapes for the 3rd on top voicings, except we are adding the 7th on the 1st string, using the 4th finger.
Cmaj7:
--- 7 --- B (maj7) (4th finger)
--- 5 --- E (3rd) (3rd finger)
--- 5 --- C (root) (3rd finger)
--- 5 --- G (3rd) (3rd finger)
--- 3 --- C (root) (1st finger)
--- x ---
You can work out the rest; there's only two other voicings.For the 13th, we'll use a root-7th-3rd-13th voicing using strings 5-3-2-1.
Cmaj7(13):
--- 5 --- A (13th) (4th finger or 3rd finger)
--- 5 --- E (3rd) (3rd finger)
--- 4 --- B (maj7) (2nd finger)
--- x ---
--- 3 --- C (root) (1st finger)
--- x ---
Since the 13th (6th) changes it's position in different minor chords (if
you are strictly staying in the key, which we are), the shape is different
for a Dmin7(13) and a Emin7(b13).You get to work out the remaining 13th chords.
So there you've got 'em. Simple suggestion: try playing a chord progression of IV-iii-ii-I, using the SAME voicings for each pass over the progression, but CHANGING voicings each time you go back to the IV chord (i.e., first time use root on top; 2nd time use 3rd on top, etcetera; after you can "cycle", jump around randomly). Record this vamp for 5 minutes, and boogie over it!
Fun city!
Of course, these chords are of big time use when composing and you need a particular chord over a particular note, also.
You could get into other inversions instead of just the root in the bass...just think, that multiplies the number of chords we just talked about by 7!!
Next lesson we'll talk about...11th chords! All inversions for all chords in a major key, using the chord formula 1-3-5-7-11. VERY cool chords, useful for substition for tension AND as a basis for interesting lead lines.
Drop 2 Voicings
Drop 2 is just a name for how the chords were derived from another chord. This is only important for naming the voicings. I will describe how they are derived then I will show you the voicings.
The example below shows four C Major 7 chords and their drop 2 voicings in standard notation. The important thing to realize is which note is dropped to the lowest note.
C Major 7 Drop 2 Voicings
Let's explore the theory behind the example. C Major 7 consists of four notes:
C, E, G, B. There is a root chord and 3 inversions for any 4-note chord. The
table below shows the chord intervals and the notes that create the chords.
First, it shows the note intervals for the base chord. Second, it shows the
note intervals for the drop 2 chord. Third, it shows the notes of the base chord
(lowest to highest). Last, it shows the notes for the drop 2 chord (lowest to
highest). Drop 2 Intervals and Notes
| Voicing | Intervals | Drop 2 Intervals | Notes for C Major 7 | Drop 2 Degrees |
| Root | 1-3-5-7 | 5-1-3-7 | C-E-G-B | G-C-E-B |
| 1st Inversion | 3-5-7-1 | 7-3-5-1 | E-G-B-C | B-E-G-C |
| 2nd Inversion | 5-7-1-3 | 1-5-7-3 | G-B-C-E | C-G-B-E |
| 3rd Inversion | 7-1-3-5 | 3-7-1-5 | B-C-E-G | E-B-C-G |
Practical Uses and Tips
The theory of drop 2 voicings is dry, but the chords they produce are fantastic because they form compact and playable voicings. They don't stretch your fingers too much and they don't repeat any notes.To use these voicings, I recommend learning the highest note interval and the lowest note interval for each drop 2 voicing. For example the 2nd Inversion drop 2 has the 1st, or root, as the lowest note and the 3rd as the highest note. You can use this to form a bass line as you change chords or as a melody on the highest note. This is effective in writing chord progressions.
If you're interested in jazz, you'll also notice that the color notes (3rd and 7th) are the two highest voices in the chord. If the bass player is playing the root, you can forego playing the root and play only the color notes to create the chord.
As you play more and more, you'll probably notice that the drop 2 chords on strings 1-4 and 2-5 are the most useful. If you need to lessen your practice, I would start with these string groupings first.
C Major 7 Drop 2 Voicings
Each line below contains four drop 2 chords for a string set. The four chords are derived in order from the Root Position, 1st Inversion, 2nd Inversion, and 3rd Inversion. For example, measure 3 of line 2 is the 2nd inversion drop 2 C Major 7 chord on strings 2 - 5.
C7 Drop 2 Voicings
C Minor 7 Drop 2 Voicings
Below are the drop 2 patterns for the F chords. The ordering is
different in these patterns. See if you can identify how they are
organized.F Major 7 Drop 2 Patterns
F7 Drop 2 Patterns
F Minor 7 Drop 2 Patterns
ii V I Chord Progressions with Drop 2 Voicings
Now let us practice using some of these voicings in ii-V-I chord progressions. This is a very common Jazz chord progression. Practice these chord grips then try taking out the root note and optionally the 5th of each chord as if a bass player was playing the root note. This will keep the focus of your playing on the color notes (3rd and 7th) that determine the type of chord that is played (major 7, minor 7, dominant 7, etc). One tip is to remove the lowest two notes from the drop 2 chords that have the root as their lowest notes. These ones do not have a slash next to the chord name. The 3rd and 4th lines below show progressions using only voicings with the root as the lowest note.
JOHN MOSES OCHE
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