Drop 3 Chords (min7b5)
NO SCRIPT
In a previous lesson, we looked at Drop 2 chords. If you still aren’t feeling clear on how this type of chord is built, and what “dropped” means in this context, it’s time to review.
This lesson is a continuation of a previous lesson on Drop 3 Chords, where we covered the basics of playing a major 7th chord using the drop 3 voicing. If you’re not clear on how to do that, it would be best to go back and review.
The minor 7♭5 chord voicing is very useful and fundamental to many styles. It is quite often followed by a dominant 7th chord for which it functions as the II of in a minor key. For example, in the key of A minor, the II chord is B-7♭5, which would precede the V chord, E7.
Root Position Drop 3
An F-♭5 chord in drop3 form.
If we raise the chord to its next inversion, the 3rd takes the bass note.
First-inversion Drop 3
The next inversion puts the fifth in the bass.
Second-inversion Drop 3
Third-inversion Drop 3
Finally, we’ll go to the last inversion.
Key Tasks
- Memorize all inversions of the drop 3 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.