Drop 2&4 voicings are created by taking a closed-position seventh chord and dropping both the second and fourth highest notes down an octave. This creates an extremely wide-spread voicing.
These voicings span five strings with a muted string, creating a distinctive texture. They can be played on string sets 6-5-3-x-1 or 5-4-2-x-1, though they are less commonly used than drop 2 or drop 3 voicings.
Drop 2&4 voicings are the widest of the drop voicing family and can create dramatic, orchestral sounds on the guitar.
Drop 2&4 Cmaj7 – Strings 6, 5, 3, x, 1
Root Position (R-5-3-x-7)
1st Inversion (3-7-5-x-R)
2nd Inversion (5-R-7-x-3)
3rd Inversion (7-3-R-x-5)
Drop 2&4 Cmaj7 – Strings 5, 4, 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&4 voicings to the drop 2, drop 3, and drop 2&3 voicings – note how each creates a different texture.
Use these voicings sparingly for dramatic effect in arrangements.
Practice connecting these wide voicings to more conventional drop 2 or drop 3 voicings through voice-leading.
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Drop 2&4 dominant 7th voicings have an expansive, dramatic quality. Their wide spread makes them particularly effective for creating tension before resolution.
Below are all four inversions of the C7 chord in drop 2&4 voicing on each set of strings.
Drop 2&4 C7 – Strings 6, 5, 3, x, 1
Root Position (R-5-3-x-♭7)
1st Inversion (3-♭7-5-x-R)
2nd Inversion (5-R-♭7-x-3)
3rd Inversion (♭7-3-R-x-5)
Drop 2&4 C7 – Strings 5, 4, 2, 1
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
Key Tasks
Learn all four inversions on each string set.
Practice resolving these dominant 7th voicings to their target chords.
Try using these voicings for dramatic turnarounds or endings.
Experiment with adding alterations (♭9, ♯9, ♭5, ♯5) to these wide voicings.
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Drop 2&4 minor 7th voicings have a very open, ambient quality due to their wide intervallic spread.
Below are all four inversions of the C-7 chord in drop 2&4 voicing on each set of strings.
Drop 2&4 C-7 – Strings 6, 5, 3, x, 1
Root Position (R-5-♭3-x-♭7)
1st Inversion (♭3-♭7-5-x-R)
2nd Inversion (5-R-♭7-x-♭3)
3rd Inversion (♭7-♭3-R-x-5)
Drop 2&4 C-7 – Strings 5, 4, 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 in different musical contexts.
Use these voicings in ambient or atmospheric musical settings where the wide spread works well.
Try combining these with other voicing types for textural variety.
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Drop 2&4 minor 7♭5 voicings are the most exotic of the drop voicing family. Their extremely wide spread creates a haunting, mysterious quality.
Below are all four inversions of the C-7♭5 chord in drop 2&4 voicing on each set of strings.
These voicings are best used sparingly for special dramatic effect in minor key compositions.
Drop 2&4 C-7♭5 – Strings 6, 5, 3, x, 1
Root Position (R-♭5-♭3-x-♭7)
1st Inversion (♭3-♭7-♭5-x-R)
2nd Inversion (♭5-R-♭7-x-♭3)
3rd Inversion (♭7-♭3-R-x-♭5)
Drop 2&4 C-7♭5 – Strings 5, 4, 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-.
Compare these to the other drop voicing types for the min7♭5 chord.
Use these voicings for dramatic moments in minor key compositions.
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.
