Have you ever heard of "drop 2" or "drop 3" chords? Don’t worry if you haven't—many guitarists play these chords without knowing their technical names. These chords are some of the most common on the guitar. For example, an A minor 7 chord can be played as a simple bar across the top four strings. But what exactly makes it a drop chord? Let me explain.
Understanding Drop Chords
In a typical piano chord, the notes are very close to each other—this is called a closed voicing. Each note is a third away from the next, allowing a four-note chord to be played within an octave using a single hand on the piano. To spread out the notes, we "drop" one of them down an octave. A drop chord is named based on which note is lowered. In a "drop 2" chord, for example, the second note from the top is dropped down an octave, creating a wider spread of notes.
Due to the tuning of the guitar strings, it’s difficult to play closed voicings. However, by dropping a few notes, the chords become more playable. This is why drop chords form the basis of the most common 7th chord voicings on the guitar.
Types of Drop Chords
Drop 2
The most common type of drop chord is the drop 2 chord, which can be played on the guitar using the top four strings. Drop 2 chords can also be played using the middle four strings or the bottom four strings. These chords are the bread and butter of guitar playing, allowing us to harmonize melodies freely. Since these chords are on adjacent strings, they can be used comfortably all over the instrument.
Drop 3
Another common type of drop chord for guitar is the drop 3 chord, which has a wider spacing than the drop 2 chord. These chords are popular in rhythm guitar playing, where the bass note is played separately from the higher notes. Drop 3 chords can be played using the top three strings with the fifth string as the bass note, or using strings 2, 3, and 4 with the bass on the 6th string. Drop 2 and drop 3 chords are easily interchangeable and form the basis of most common jazz guitar chords.
Drop 2 & 4
Another variation is the drop 2 and 4 chord. In this chord, both the second and fourth voices are dropped lower, creating a very wide voicing. This type of chord can be heard on the tenor banjo, which was commonly used before the guitar became popular. These chords span nearly two octaves and have a very pleasant sound. While less commonly used on guitar, they are still excellent for harmonizing melodies.
Adding Color & Interest
Chord Inversions
Chord inversions are essential when using drop chords. Each chord type has four inversions. For example, an A minor 7 chord can be played with the root note, the third, the fifth, or the 7th on top. All different chord types have four inversions, so there are many shapes to learn. Fortunately, some chord types share the same shapes. For example, an A minor 6 chord has the same shape as an F# half-diminished chord. There are many other examples where the same set of four shapes can be thought of differently, depending on the root of the chord.
Adding Extensions
One common way to use drop chords is to add an extended note on top of the basic voicing. For example, the A minor 7 chord can be played as a simple bar across four strings on the 5th fret. By adding the B note on the first string, you create a 9th extension, which gives the chord a richer sound. Each drop chord has a variety of possible extensions, and these extensions can help add color, interest, and spontaneity to your playing.
Upper Structures
The term "upper structure" might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. An upper structure is like a chord that sits on top of another chord. For example, an A minor 7 chord could be turned into an A minor 9 chord by adding a C major 7 chord on top of it. In other words, we’re playing a chord that contains the extensions while the bass remains the same. It takes some getting used to, but once you learn the common extended chords, you can use familiar shapes as upper structures to create beautiful, extended harmonies.
How to Learn Drop Chords
To start, it's recommended that you learn the basic chord voicings in order. For example, you might want to learn the four inversions of an A minor 7 chord and then practice them around the circle of fourths until you can play all the minor 7th chords in all their inversions. While this can be a bit tedious, it’s essential for mastering the basics, such as major 7, dominant 7th, minor 7, etc.
After this, you may find it more effective to take one of your favorite songs and start harmonizing it using a lead sheet. Find the drop chord that contains the melody note on the highest voice and try to play through the song using drop chords. This method allows you to learn chords in context and see how they function in music. You’ll be surprised at how many new chords you discover through this process, making it a much more engaging way to learn than simply memorizing chord voicings.
Historical Context and Iconic Players
The use of drop chords, particularly in jazz and modern music, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. These chord voicings became a fundamental part of the jazz guitar vocabulary, contributing to the lush, full sound that characterizes the genre.
Origins in Jazz
Drop chords were initially developed to create more open, resonant voicings that could fill out the harmonic space in a band setting. Jazz guitarists found that these chords allowed them to maintain smooth voice leading and achieve richer textures than traditional, closed-position chords. The ability to spread notes across a wider range made drop chords especially useful for comping and creating chord melodies.
Wes Montgomery
One of the most famous proponents of drop chords was Wes Montgomery, a legendary jazz guitarist known for his smooth lines and innovative use of octaves. Montgomery often used drop 2 chords in his comping and solo work, seamlessly blending rhythm and melody. His ability to move through complex chord progressions with grace and fluidity made him a pioneer of the modern jazz guitar sound.
Joe Pass
Another giant in jazz guitar, Joe Pass, was renowned for his virtuosic chord-melody playing. He utilized drop chords extensively in his solo guitar performances, particularly in his famous "Virtuoso" series of albums. Pass’s use of drop 2 and drop 3 chords allowed him to create intricate harmonies and counterpoints, making his playing sound like a full band even when he performed solo.
Freddie Green
While not as flashy as some of his contemporaries, Freddie Green's rhythm guitar work with the Count Basie Orchestra is a masterclass in the use of simplified drop 3 chords for rhythm playing. Green’s subtle, yet powerful, use of drop 3 chords provided the harmonic foundation for one of the most famous big bands in jazz history. His minimalist style, often referred to as "four-to-the-bar" comping, showcases the effectiveness of drop chords in a swing context. Freddie typically left off the highest note, creating a powerful 3 note chord in the lower register. These are commonly called “shell chords”, or “rhythm guitar chords”.
Modern Players
In more contemporary settings, guitarists like Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and Bill Frisell have continued to explore the possibilities of drop chords. They have pushed the boundaries of these voicings, incorporating them into genres ranging from fusion to avant-garde jazz. These players demonstrate how drop chords remain a vital tool for creating fresh, innovative sounds on the guitar.
Impact Beyond Jazz
Though rooted in jazz, drop chords have transcended the genre. Guitarists in funk, soul, R&B, and even rock have adopted these voicings for their ability to add depth and complexity to their chordal work. Nile Rodgers of Chic, known for his tight, rhythmic guitar playing, frequently uses drop 2 chords to craft his iconic grooves, proving that these voicings are versatile and adaptable to various styles.
The legacy of drop chords is deeply embedded in the evolution of guitar music. By studying the work of these legendary players, guitarists can gain insight into how these voicings can be used creatively to enhance their own playing.
Essential Chords
Drop chords are an essential part of a guitarist's toolkit, offering a blend of playability and harmonic richness that makes them invaluable in a variety of musical contexts. Whether you're exploring the smooth voice leading of drop 2 chords, the wide spacing of drop 3 chords, or the expansive sound of drop 2 & 4 chords, these voicings open up a world of possibilities for both rhythm and lead playing.
Understanding the theory behind drop chords, from their origins in jazz to their application across genres, can elevate your playing and deepen your musicality. By learning the basic voicings, practicing chord inversions, and experimenting with extensions and upper structures, you can develop a more sophisticated and expressive approach to chordal work.
As demonstrated by legendary players like Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, and Freddie Green, mastering drop chords can transform your guitar playing, allowing you to create lush harmonies and dynamic textures. Whether you're comping in a band, arranging a solo guitar piece, or simply expanding your chord vocabulary, drop chords are a versatile and powerful tool.
As you continue to explore these voicings, remember that the most effective way to learn is by applying them in real musical situations. Harmonize your favorite songs, experiment with new chord combinations, and let the music guide your learning. In doing so, you'll not only memorize shapes and positions but also internalize how drop chords can bring your music to life.
-Ryan
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