Extended Shell Voicings For Guitar

Shell voicings are stripped-down versions of full chords, typically containing the root, third, and seventh, which capture the essence and function of the chord while providing a clear, uncluttered sound.

This approach is particularly useful for pianists and guitarists, allowing for smooth voice leading and more space for melodic lines or improvisation

Understanding Shell Voicings

Shell chords focus on the most essential notes of a chord :

- Root : The foundational note that defines the chord’s bass.

- Third : Determines whether the chord is major or minor.

- Seventh: Adds depth and harmonic complexity, indicating if the chord is a dominant, major seventh or minor seventh.

-The fifth is left out.

Example with C major 7 : We will get the notes C (1), E (3) and B (7).

Steps to Harmonize the Major Scale

Identify The Chords

Each degree of the major scale has an associated chord.

Each chord is built by stacking thirds.

In the key of C major, the diatonic chords are: - I (Cmaj7) - ii (Dm7) - iii (Em7) - IV (Fmaj7) - V (G7) - vi (Am7) - vii° (Bm7b5)

Constructing Shell Voicings

For each chord, identify the root (1), major third (3) or minor third (b3) and major seventh (7) or minor seventh (b7):

- Cmaj7 : C (root), E (major third), B (major seventh)

- Dm7 : D (root), F (minor third), C (minor seventh)

- Em7 : E (root), G (minor third), D (minor seventh)

- Fmaj7 : F (root), A (major third), E (major seventh)

- G7 : G (root), B (major third), F (minor seventh)

- Am7 : A (root), C (minor third), G (minor seventh)

- Bm7(b5) : B (root), D (minor third), A (minor seventh)

Here are the main positions used to harmonize the G, C and F major scales.

Try to practice them in all twelve keys anywhere on the guitar neck.

Adding Extensions To Shell Voicings

Extensions in music refer to notes that are added to the basic triad or seventh chords to create richer, more complex sounds.

These additional tones extend the chord beyond the standard seventh, providing greater harmonic depth and color.

They are commonly used in jazz, contemporary, and classical music to add sophistication and variation to harmonic progressions.

Extensions used in this lesson go beyond the seventh note and typically include the 9th (9 & b9), 11th (11 & #11), and 13th (13 & b13) degrees of the scale.

Their names are based on their intervallic distance from the root:

Ninth (9) & Flat Ninth (b9)

Ninth (9) : Adds a note that is an octave plus a major second above the root.

Flat Ninth (b9) : Adds a note that is an octave plus a minor second above the root.

For example, the ninth (9) of C is D and the flat ninth (b9) is Db.

Eleventh (11) & Sharp Eleventh (#11) :

Eleventh : Adds a note that is an octave plus a perfect fourth above the root.

Sharp Eleventh (#11) : Adds a note that is an octave plus an augmented fourth above the root.

For example, the eleventh (11) of C is F and the sharp eleventh (#11) is F#.

Thirteenth (13) & Flat Thirteenth (b13) :

Adds a note that is an octave plus a major sixth above the root.

Flat Thirteenth (b13) : Adds a note that is an octave plus a minor sixth above the root.

For example, the thirteenth (13) of C is A and the flat thirteenth (b13) is Ab.

Extensions Of The Major Scale

In the major scale, the extensions of the diatonic chords are organized this way:

- Imaj7 (9, 11,13) - iim7 (9, 11, 13) - iiim7 (b9, 11, b13) - IVmaj7 (9, #11, 13) - V7 (9, 11, 13) - vim7 (9, 11, b13) - viim7b5 (b9, 11, b13).

Here are three exercises (you'll find more in this PDF) and shapes that add extensions to the previous shell voicing positions.

Notice that the rhythm in the tabs/staves is only indicative.

Don’t hesitate to change it as you wish.

Exercise 1 : Major Scale Shell Voicings With 9Th 

Exercise 2 : Major Scale Shell Voicings With 11Th 

Exercise 3 : Major Scale Shell Voicings With 13Th