fingering of shell chords

[CarolM]

I am studying these shell chords
Basic Jazz Guitar Chords : Shell Chords

and I think have the first two rows figured out but have trouble with the third
row, the x137xx shells. I can't figure out a pivot point.. I tried barre versions but my hands are small and my 3 & 4th fingers won't reach.

Help?

[JohnW400]

There are a few fingerings for each. The thing that dictates what finger to use is where you're coming from and where your going to.

The way to work on these is to apply them to 2-5-1 trying to keep one note from the previous chord in the new chord.

ex. Dmi7 - G7 - Cma7

x535xx Dmi7
3x34xx G7
x324xx Cma7

I might use 324 to 124 to 214, this way I hold on the F and then the B. Or, 314, slide 4 (c) down to 4 (b) and hold it in place for 214 (Cma7)

However since you've mentioned small hands I would consider starting higher up the neck at the octave postion and then work my way down to first position.

One other thing you can do is to start at the 15th fret and play descending harmonized scales, (CMa, Bmi, Ami G F Emi Dmi C)

[CarolM]

Originally Posted by JohnW400

There are a few fingerings for each. The thing that dictates what finger to use is where you're coming from and where your going to.

The way to work on these is to apply them to 2-5-1 trying to keep one note from the previous chord in the new chord.

ex. Dmi7 - G7 - Cma7

x535xx Dmi7
3x34xx G7
x324xx Cma7

I might use 324 to 124 to 214, this way I hold on the F and then the B. Or, 314, slide 4 (c) down to 4 (b) and hold it in place for 214 (Cma7)

However since you've mentioned small hands I would consider starting higher up the neck at the octave postion and then work my way down to first position.

One other thing you can do is to start at the 15th fret and play descending harmonized scales, (CMa, Bmi, Ami G F Emi Dmi C)

Thanks, good ideas all. I learn much faster just playing progressions.

[JonnyPac]

I have the basics here with fingerings in the dots. Enjoy.

Edit: I fixed two typos and re-posted below. Thanks.

[wizard3739]

This is good stuff JonnyPac. very practical and very useful for studying voicings when used in progressions.

wiz

[JonnyPac]

Thanks, Wiz. Always glad to help and share.

[CarolM]

Yes thanks Jonny, that's a big help (even if I can't reach all of them now).

[ten left thumbs]

Thanks for sharing Jonny.

[JonnyPac]

Thanks, y'all. BTW you can use other fingers. I use my pinky a lot for some of them, etc. Experiment.

[JonnyPac]

There were a couple of fingering typos in there. Here it is corrected. (Thanks, Matt.)