Lesson 111: Shell Voicings

What Is a Shell Voicing?

A shell voicing is a chord stripped of all but the most essential information. Typically, a shell voicing consists of:

• the root
• the 3rd and
• the 7th ( or 6th) of a chord

Chord Diagrams

First a few ways to play a shell voicing of a maj7 chord. The chords are, from left to right: Fmaj7 x 2, Bbmaj7 x 2, Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 x 2.

Next a few ways to play a shell voicing of a m7 chord. The chords are, from left to right: Fm7 x 2, Bbm7 x 2, Cm7 and Fm7 x 2.

Last a few ways to play a shell voicing of a dominant 7 chord. The chords are, from left to right: F7 x 2, Bb7 x 2, C7 and F7 x 2.

I also have them all collected on the same page here.

© 2006 Tomas Karlsson. All rights reserved.