Advanced chord voicings are a crucial part of jazz guitar playing, as they add color, complexity, and sophistication to your chord progressions and improvisations. Here are some advanced chord voicing techniques and examples to help you jazz up your guitar playing:
1. Drop 2 and Drop 3 Voicings:
- Drop 2 Voicings: Start with standard seventh chords (e.g., dominant 7, major 7, minor 7). Then, take the second-highest note and drop it down an octave. For example, in a G7 chord (3x343x), the second-highest note (the B note on the 2nd string) is dropped down an octave (2x243x).
- Drop 3 Voicings: Similar to drop 2 voicings, but you drop the third-highest note down an octave. For example, in a G7 chord (3x343x), the third-highest note (the B note on the 1st string) is dropped down an octave (3x342x).
2. Extended Chords:
- Jazz often includes extended chords like 9th, 11th, and 13th chords. Experiment with different chord shapes and inversions to create rich, extended harmonies. For example, a G9 chord (3x345x) or an A13 chord (x0x556).
3. Altered Chords:
- Altered chords involve adding or altering specific notes to create tension and dissonance. Experiment with altered dominant chords like G7b9 (3×3434) or G7#5 (3x344x) to create a sense of tension and resolution.
4. Quartal and Quintal Voicings:
- Quartal voicings use stacked fourth intervals, while quintal voicings use stacked fifth intervals. These voicings provide a modern and open sound. For example, a quartal voicing for Cmaj7 (x32000) or a quintal voicing for Dm7 (x5555x).
5. Chord Melodies:
- Create chord melody arrangements by incorporating chords and melodies simultaneously. This involves finding chord voicings that allow you to play the melody note on the highest string while fretting the accompanying chords below.
6. Shell Voicings:
- Shell voicings consist of just the essential notes of a chord: the root, the third, and, optionally, the seventh. This minimalist approach leaves room for improvisation and can be embellished with extensions or alterations.
7. Voice Leading:
- Pay attention to smooth voice leading when transitioning between chords. Minimize the distance your fingers need to move to create a smoother harmonic flow.
8. Inversions:
- Experiment with chord inversions to create different chord voicings with the same notes. Inversions can add variety and movement to your chord progressions.
9. Diminished and Augmented Chords:
- Incorporate diminished and augmented chords to introduce tension and unique harmonic colors. For example, a Bdim7 (x2313x) or a Caug7 (x3211x)
