Drop 2&4 Chords (min7b5)
Drop 2&4 chords are another way of playing seventh chords in a more “spread-out” fashion. They are the result of taking a closed-position chord (1357) and dropping by an octave both the second note from the top, as well as the fourth note from the top (i.e., the note that’s already on the bottom). The result is 1537 for a root position chord. This is the only 'dropped' chord where the root note does not change, because the root is dropped too, causing it to stay on the bottom.
These chords can be played on strings 65x32x as well as strings x54x21. They are most commonly played with the root on the 6th string, so that’s how they are presented here.
The Chord Configuration
Note that this is the same configuration, no matter what string set is used and no matter what chord type (major7, minor7, dominant7, min7b5, dimished7...)
| Strings | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Root Position | R | 5 | x | 3 | 7 | x |
| 1st Inv | 3 | 7 | x | 5 | R | x |
| 2nd Inv | 5 | R | x | 7 | 3 | x |
| 3rd Inv | 7 | 3 | x | R | 5 | x |
Drop 2&4 Chord - Root Position (F-7♭5)
Drop 2&4 Chord - First Inversion (F-7♭5)
Drop 2&4 Chord - Second Inversion (F-7♭5)
Drop 2&4 Chord - Third Inversion (F-7♭5)
Key Tasks
- Memorize all inversions of the drop 2&4 structure.
- Convert the root position chord to dominant 7th, minor 7th and minor 7♭5 forms.
- Practice all inversions with all chord forms.
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 through TakeLessons.