pt1 Beginner Jazz Guitar Basic Shell Chord Voicings using Autumn Leaves

In this lesson, using the jazz standard Autumn Leaves, I explore basic shell voicings which are simple on the hands, make jazz tensions possible, and promote mobility across the guitar neck. Tabs can be found on my website: http://www.decguitar.com under Teaching Materials. Visit www.mikesmasterclasses.com for more high-quality instructional videos!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jazz
• Guitar
• Basic
• Shell
• Chord
• Voicings
• Autumn
• Leaves
• Progressions
• Beginner

[pcnation11]

what key is this song in?

[scraggo]

@pcnation11 E minor. The first couple of chords are a ii V I in G major, which is the relative major of E minor. So, for a solo, you could play the G major scale over most of it (There are exceptions: B7 - you'd play the E harmonic minor scale here. Eb7 Dm7 and Db7 are a little harder to describe, but message me if you want more on those.)

[dealer205]

Are these shells also called 'tri tones? :-(

[scraggo]

Thanks for the question-the "shell" is a root, 3rd, 7th voicing, or a root, 7th, 3rd voicing. If you get rid of the root (the low E or A string) then you get "3rd and 7th" motion between chords. In the case of a Dominant 7th chord (a 7 chord), the 3rd and 7th is a tri-tone (TT) away! Ex: a D7 chord is D F# A C. Get rid of the root and 5th, and you get F# and C, which is a TT. This is the basic theory behind why TT substitution works - the 7th chord a TT away has the same 3rd and 7th TT

[scraggo]

Robblac -

showing - yes, I'm demonstrating a lot of different things, how to add chord extensions, walking basslines, and how to comp in general to the tune. "showing off," I really don't think so. Why are there people on Youtube who feel the need to leave really useless comments?

[bettudont]

you smell like mustard

[Hoopermazing]

You have emboldened me to say F barre chords. I've always hated them, and this was just what I needed to give them the old heave-ho.

Another thing, which kind of guitar is that? I'm sure that it's some gazillion dollar hand-made Spanish affair, but I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a humble Lucero LC100.

[lougar1]

Learn to read and to play like a pianist. You can play any style but voicing is key. Keith Richards voices his chords. He does not play jazz voicings but he plays in 4 part harmony. You normally play 4 part or three part harmony. Actually Keith plays 3 part often but he doesn't double fifths or Octaves. I played with Niki Six one day when he visited our store. He knew how to voice chords and play blues or jazz and he is a bass player in the most metal of bands.Don't embrace ignorance

[Metlahaed]

Every time you say "ok?" "alright?" it really clears everything up that much more! Sick vids! I wish i could keep up more though... practice makes perfect!

[nolocus]

Thanks for the lesson.

[ryola1]

yes robblac.

prick like comments are not well recieved. some of us are interested in learning.