🌭 Main Idea

Shell chords are simplified voicings of jazz chords that include only the essential notes (root, 3rd, and 7th), omitting the 5th. They are commonly used in jazz and other genres for comping because they provide the harmonic foundation without being too cluttered.

🚀 Benefits of Shell Chords

Quote from Dirk Laukens from Jazzguitar.be (link below)

“Shell Chords (aka guide tone chords) are the most basic jazz guitar chords and are essential knowledge for every jazz guitarist. Having a good understanding of shell chords will make it easier for you to learn more complex chords later on.”

Shell chords can either be voiced as 1 3 7 or more spread out with 1 7 3.

1 7 3 voicing are very similiar to 10ths because the 3 is now an octave higher

🍿 Video

📙 PDF

📚 Further Reading

https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/shell-jazz-guitar-chords-beginners/

https://www.jazzguitarlessons.net/blog/shell-voicings-jazz-guitar

https://www.jazzguitarguide.com/jazz-guitar-shell-voicings-essential-chord-shapes/

📍Navigation

<aside> Jazz Chords

</aside>

Beginners ➔

Jazz Chords 101

Shell Chords

Drop 2 Voicings

Intermediate ➔

Advanced ➔

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