Drop 3 Chords - Charts, Exercises, and Licks - MATT WARNOCK GUITAR

Drop 3 Chords - Charts, Exercises, and Licks | MATT WARNOCK GUITAR 19/11/17, 11'29
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Drop 3 Chords – Charts, Exercises, and Licks
Drop 3 chords are used by many legendary jazz guitarists in their playing, and are some of the first
voicings players learn when exploring jazz rhythm guitar.
From Joe Pass, to Wes Montgomery, to Pat Metheny, drop 3 chords are found in the comping, chord
melody, and soloing of the best in the business.
For this reason, drop 3 chords are some of the most important chord shapes that you need to learn in the
woodshed.
Though they’re essential, drop 3 chords need to be treated with care due to the timbre they create on the
guitar, especially on the lower strings.
http://mattwarnockguitar.com/drop-3/ Pagina 1 di 44
Drop 3 chords work well for duo and solo guitar, but they can be muddy when used with a bass player.
For this reason, most players use drop 3 chords when playing solo or duo without a bass player.
Then, they use drop 2 chords or other voicings when there’s a bass player in the ensemble.
Make sure to learn both drop 2 and drop 3 chords to make sure you’re ready for any rhythm jazz guitar
situation.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how build, play, and apply drop 3 chords to jazz harmonic situations as you
bring these classic chords onto your fretboard.
Table of Contents (Click to skip down)
What Are Drop 3 Chords

Drop 3 Maj7 Chords
Drop 3 7th Chords
Drop 3 m7 Chords
Drop 3 m7b5 Chords
Drop 3 Dim7 Chords
Drop 3 mMaj7 Chords
Drop 3 7#11 Chords
Drop 3 Maj7#11 Chords
Drop 3 Chord Exercise 1
Drop 3 Major ii V I VI Phrases
Drop 3 Minor ii V I Phrases
Drop 3 Blue Bossa Chords
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What Are Drop 3 Chords
One of the most common questions I get from guitarists about jazz chords is:
“I know about these shapes, but how do you build a drop 3 chord?”
Drop 3 chords are built by taking the 3rd highest note in a closed position chord and lowering it by an
octave.
This is how drop 3 chords get their name, because the 3rd note in a closed position chord has been
“dropped.”
Here’s how that transition looks on the fretboard to visualize drop 3 chord construction.
Notice that each drop 3 chord has a string skip between the lowest two notes.
This string skip is what differentiates drop 3 from drop 2 chords, which are played without any string
skips.
When you drop the 3rd note of any closed-position chord by an octave, you produce the following
intervals for each inversion.
Root Position – R-7-3-5

1st Inversion – 3-R-5-7
2nd Inversion – 5-3-7-R
3rd Inversion – 7-5-R-3
These formulae works for any chord type you can think of, you just alter the interval qualities to fit that
chord type.
For example, a root position drop 3 7th chord is built R-b7-3-5, a m7 chord would be R-b7-b3-5, etc.
The intervals change to match the chord you’re playing, but the order of the intervals remains the same.
To take these shapes onto the fretboard, take a look at 8 different drop 3 chords for all common chord
qualities.
Each of these groups of drop 3 chords is written in C.
Make sure to move them to other keys in your jazz guitar practice routine.
Drop 3 Maj7 Chords
To begin, here are 8 different Cmaj7 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-7-3-5

1st Inversion – 3-R-5-7
2nd Inversion – 5-3-7-R
3rd Inversion – 7-5-R-3
Here are four inversions of Cmaj7 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
You can also play these drop 3 chords with the lowest note on the 5th string.
Drop 3 7th Chords
Here are 8 different C7 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-b7-3-5

1st Inversion – 3-R-5-b7
2nd Inversion – 5-3-b7-R
3rd Inversion – b7-5-R-3
Here are four inversions of C7 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 m7 Chords
Here are 8 different Cm7 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-b7-b3-5

1st Inversion – b3-R-5-b7
2nd Inversion – 5-b3-b7-R
3rd Inversion – b7-5-R-b3
Here are four inversions of Cm7 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 m7b5 Chords
Here are 8 different Cm7b5 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-b7-b3-b5

1st Inversion – b3-R-b5-b7
2nd Inversion – 5-b3-b7-R
3rd Inversion – b7-b5-R-b3
Here are four inversions of Cm7b5 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 dim7 Chords
Here are 8 different Cdim7 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-bb7-b3-b5

1st Inversion – b3-R-b5-bb7
2nd Inversion – b5-b3-bb7-R
3rd Inversion – bb7-b5-R-b3
Here are four inversions of Cdim7 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 mMaj7 Chords
Here are 8 different CmMaj7 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-7-b3-5

1st Inversion – b3-R-5-7
2nd Inversion – 5-b3-7-R
3rd Inversion – 7-5-R-b3
Here are four inversions of CmMaj7 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 7#11 Chords
Here are 8 different C7#11 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-b7-3-#11

1st Inversion – 3-R-#11-b7
2nd Inversion – #11-3-b7-R
3rd Inversion – b7-#11-R-3
Here are four inversions of C7#11 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 Maj7#11 Chords
Here are 8 different Cmaj7#11 drop 3 chords, which have the interval structure:
Root Position – R-7-3-#11

1st Inversion – 3-R-#11-7
2nd Inversion – #11-3-7-R
3rd Inversion – 7-#11-R-3
Here are four inversions of Cmaj7#11 with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Drop 3 Chords Exercise 1 – Qualities
The first drop 3 chord exercise uses chords that are only one note different from other shapes, and moves
between these chords on the fretboard.
This means that you start with chord A, then change one note to form chord B, then repeat that process for
the progression.
Here’s an example that covers 5 different chord types in one progression.
Play these chords using drop 3 shapes in C, before moving to other keys on the fretboard.
As well, you can use any string set, and any inversion, to outline these shapes, just stick to the same one
for each exercise.
If you play the first Cmaj7 chord as a 1st inversion with the root on the 6th string, keep that outline as you
then move to other chords in the exercise.
This means that you play every chord as a 1st inversion with the lowest note on the 6th string.
Here’s an example of that chord progression using drop 3 chords from the 6th string in root position.
Vm
Click to hear
P
Here’s another progression that I like to use where the second chord is built by altering one note from the
first chord shape.
Again, begin with this fingering before taking this exercise to other inversions, string sets, chord qualities,
and keys.
Click to hear Vm
P
Lastly, here’s another chord progression you can use to learn and memorize various types of drop 3 chords
in the practice room.
Here are sample fingerings to get you started with this exercise.
Vm
Click to hear
P
Once you’ve worked through these progressions in various keys, inversions, and string sets, come up with
your own progressions to work drop 3 chords.
Drop 3 Chords Exercise 2 – Major ii V I VI
This exercise adds practical application to your practice routine, as you outline major ii V I VI changes
using drop 3 voice leading.
When doing so, you begin on any iim7 drop 3 chord, and then move to the closest V7 chord, Imaj7, and
VI7b9 chord from there.
Here’s how that looks on the guitar.
Vm
Click to hear
P
When following this voice leading, you always use the following inversions for each chord.
R-2nd-R-1st
1st-3rd-1st-2nd
2nd-R-2nd-3rd
3rd-1st-3rd-R
This order of inversions is the same for major and minor ii V I vis, so it’s worth memorizing as you take
this exercise further.
Once you’ve worked out this example, move to other inversions of Dm7 on the 6432 strings.
Then, move to different keys on that string set, and onto the 5321 string se,t before applying these shapes
to a full jazz song.
Drop 3 Chords Exercise 3 – Minor ii V I VI
You will now repeat the previous exercise with minor key ii V I vi chords.
Once you have these shapes down in various keys and on both string sets, take them to a tune such as
Autumn Leaves, which has both major and minor ii V I changes.
Vm
Click to hear
P
Drop 3 Chords – Major ii V I VI Licks
Apart from working chord progression with inversions, you can expand your playing by practicing drop 3
chord licks.
Here are 3 major ii V I VI progressions that use drop 3 shapes to outline each chord.
Work these phrases in C major to begin, before taking them to all 12 keys from there.
In this first ii V I VI lick, you’ll use steady quarter notes and inversions to outline the progression.
Notice how each chord moves to the closest inversion of the next chord, which is smooth voice leading.
You don’t always have to move to the closest next chord, but it’s an effective skill when comping over
jazz progressions.
Vm
Backing Track
P
Click to hear Vm
P
Here, you use a syncopated rhythm to create interest.
Notice the chords in the first bar, Dm7-Fmaj7-F#dim7-G7.
This is a standard ii-V variation that jazz guitarists use to create movement in their lines.
Next time you’re playing a ii V progression, play iim7-IVmaj7-#IVdim7-V7 to bring movement to your
jazz guitar comping.
Backing Track Vm
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
The final example places drop 3 chords on the & of 2 and 4 in each bar.
This is a popular jazz guitar rhythm pattern, one that you can take out of this example and use to create
interest in other situations.
The key is not to rush each attack, which is easy to do when only playing upbeats.
Go slow, work with a metronome, and count each bar to ensure you’ve got the rhythm nailed before
increasing the tempo.
Vm
Backing Track
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
Drop 3 Chords – Minor ii V I Phrases
To expand drop 3 chords further, here are 3 minor ii V I chord licks.
As was the case with major ii V I’s, work these examples in the given key before taking them to other
keys from there.
The first pattern uses quarter notes on beats 2 and 4 of each bar to outline a minor ii V I in C.
Playing on 2 and 4 is a common jazz guitar rhythm, and one that you can apply to any tune you’re
comping over.
Backing Track Vm
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
Here’s a steady quarter-note pattern that uses inversions and descending chromatic chords to create
interest.
In the second bar you have a typical dim7 phrase, where rather than playing two inversions of dim7, you
connect them chromatically.
Here, you have Fdim7 played over G7alt, sounding a G7b9, which descends chromatically until you reach
the next inversion.
Use this chromatic connection approach to bring new life into your dim7 inversions.
Vm
Backing Track
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
This final phrase uses a bossa nova guitar pattern that you can add to your comping.
It also prepares you for the bossa nova pattern used in the Blue Bossa study below.
Go slow and count through each bar to make sure you’re playing the correct rhythms.
To bring an authentic Brazilian feel to the phrase, keep everything quiet and then accent the last two chord
punches in each bar.
Vm
Backing Track
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
Drop 3 Blue Bossa Chords
Here’s a comping study that you can learn over the chord progression to Blue Bossa.
Besides using drop 3 chords, this study uses a popular bossa nova rhythm for guitar that challenges your
picking hand.
Because the rhythm is challenging, take your time with the first two bars.
Once you have the rhythm down over Cm7, continue on from there.
Go slow with this study and work it with a metronome before getting it up to speed with the audio tracks
below.
Backing Track Vm
P
Vm
Click to hear
P
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Drop 3 Chords - Charts, Exercises, and Licks | MATT WARNOCK GUITAR 19/11/17, 11'29

MATT WARNOCK GUITAR

Drop 3 Chords – Charts, Exercises, and Licks

Table of Contents (Click to skip down)

What Are Drop 3 Chords

Download Your FREE 84-Page PDF

Send Me The Free PDF

100% privacy. Your email will never be shared

What Are Drop 3 Chords

Root Position – R-7-3-5

Each of these groups of drop 3 chords is written in C.

Drop 3 Maj7 Chords

Root Position – R-7-3-5

Drop 3 7th Chords

Root Position – R-b7-3-5

Root Position – R-b7-b3-5

Drop 3 m7b5 Chords

Root Position – R-b7-b3-b5

Drop 3 dim7 Chords

Root Position – R-bb7-b3-b5

Drop 3 mMaj7 Chords

Root Position – R-7-b3-5

Drop 3 7#11 Chords

Root Position – R-b7-3-#11

Drop 3 Maj7#11 Chords

Root Position – R-7-3-#11

Drop 3 Chords Exercise 1 – Qualities

Here’s an example that covers 5 different chord types in one progression.

Drop 3 Chords Exercise 2 – Major ii V I VI

Here’s how that looks on the guitar.

Drop 3 Chords Exercise 3 – Minor ii V I VI

Drop 3 Chords – Major ii V I VI Licks

Here, you use a syncopated rhythm to create interest.

Notice the chords in the first bar, Dm7-Fmaj7-F#dim7-G7.

Drop 3 Chords – Minor ii V I Phrases

To expand drop 3 chords further, here are 3 minor ii V I chord licks.

Drop 3 Blue Bossa Chords

Name Email Send Me Free Lessons

100% privacy. Your email will never be shared

Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.

JAZZ GUITAR - BEGINNERS JAZZ GUITAR - IMPROVERS JAZZ GUITAR - RESOURCES

Drop 2 Chords – Essential Guitar Voicings

Guitar Chords for Beginners – The Complete Guide

Guitar Triads – The Definitive Guide

Copyright ©2017 - Matt Warnock Guitar - All rights reserved

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