Drop 2&3 voicings are created by taking a closed-position seventh chord and dropping both the second and third highest notes down an octave. This creates a wide-spread voicing with a gap between two groups of notes.
These voicings span five strings with a muted string in the middle, creating a unique texture that's different from both drop 2 and drop 3 voicings. They can be played on string sets 6-5-x-3-2 or 5-4-x-2-1.
Drop 2&3 voicings offer a unique sound that combines elements of both drop 2 and drop 3 voicings, creating interesting harmonic textures.
Drop 2&3 Cmaj7 – Strings 6, 5, x, 3, 2
Root Position (R-3-x-7-5)
1st Inversion (3-5-x-R-7)
2nd Inversion (5-7-x-3-R)
3rd Inversion (7-R-x-5-3)
Drop 2&3 Cmaj7 – Strings 5, 4, x, 2, 1
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
Key Tasks
Learn all four inversions on each string set (8 total chord shapes).
Compare these drop 2&3 voicings to the drop 2 and drop 3 voicings – note the different intervallic structure.
Practice voice-leading between these voicings and standard drop 2 or drop 3 voicings.
Apply these chords to a jazz standard, mixing them with other voicing types for variety.
Loading video...
Drop 2&3 dominant 7th voicings offer a unique texture for comping. Their wide spread gives them a distinctive sound that can add variety to your chord vocabulary.
Below are all four inversions of the C7 chord in drop 2&3 voicing on each set of strings.
Drop 2&3 C7 – Strings 6, 5, x, 3, 2
Root Position (R-3-x-♭7-5)
1st Inversion (3-5-x-R-♭7)
2nd Inversion (5-♭7-x-3-R)
3rd Inversion (♭7-R-x-5-3)
Drop 2&3 C7 – Strings 5, 4, x, 2, 1
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
Key Tasks
Learn all four inversions on each string set.
Practice these dominant 7th chords in the context of a ii-V-I progression, mixing them with drop 2 and drop 3 voicings.
Try using these voicings in a blues to create a different texture.
Experiment with adding extensions to these wide voicings.
Loading video...
Drop 2&3 minor 7th voicings have a spacious, open sound that can add depth to your comping and solo guitar arrangements.
Below are all four inversions of the C-7 chord in drop 2&3 voicing on each set of strings.
Drop 2&3 C-7 – Strings 6, 5, x, 3, 2
Root Position (R-♭3-x-♭7-5)
1st Inversion (♭3-5-x-R-♭7)
2nd Inversion (5-♭7-x-♭3-R)
3rd Inversion (♭7-R-x-5-♭3)
Drop 2&3 C-7 – Strings 5, 4, x, 2, 1
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
Key Tasks
Learn all four inversions on each string set.
Practice the minor 7th chords as the ii chord in a ii-V-I progression.
Try alternating between drop 2&3 voicings and drop 2 voicings within the same tune.
Apply these voicings to ballads where the open sound works well.
Loading video...
Drop 2&3 minor 7♭5 voicings are less commonly used but can add an interesting color to your harmonic palette, particularly in minor key progressions.
Below are all four inversions of the C-7♭5 chord in drop 2&3 voicing on each set of strings.
These voicings are particularly effective in minor ii-V-i progressions where the wide spread can create a dramatic effect.
Drop 2&3 C-7♭5 – Strings 6, 5, x, 3, 2
Root Position (R-♭3-x-♭7-♭5)
1st Inversion (♭3-♭5-x-R-♭7)
2nd Inversion (♭5-♭7-x-♭3-R)
3rd Inversion (♭7-R-x-♭5-♭3)
Drop 2&3 C-7♭5 – Strings 5, 4, x, 2, 1
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
Key Tasks
Learn all four inversions on each string set.
Practice the min7♭5 chord in a minor ii-V-i progression: D-7♭5 – G7 – C-.
Use these voicings sparingly as colorful alternatives in your arrangements.
As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat.
