root positions, inversions with respect to drop-2 or -3 chords

[barrymclark]

Here's a question for all you learned folks:

What exactly dictates the root position of the chord? Is it the close position?

I ask as, and I may have interpreted this wrong, I thought I heard a drop-2 position F7 referred to in the root position with the F in the bass. Here is the confusion for me: to make the drop two, wouldn't the close chord need to be a 2nd inversion?

Did I hear this wrong or is the drop-2 F7 with the F in the bass the root position?

Thanks!

[hed_b94]

I think you are confusing the actual drop 2 chord, and the original chord it was taken from.

A Drop 2 voicing which is a root position of F is created from the closed position of 2nd inversion of F, (C Eb F A) but it's not the same thing!

[ksjazzguitar]

Yes, the bottom note of the voicing determines inversion. Remember that drop-2s, etc are voicings in their own right and don't need to be thought of as derived from closed position - that is just a learning technique for beginners.

Peace,
Kevin

[barrymclark]

Thanks, guys!

[fumblefingers]

learn all your drop 2 and drop 3 voicings in root position at a minimum. many in second inversion too.

some of the 1rst and 3rd inversion fingerings are very awkward.

[FatJeff]

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

learn all your drop 2 and drop 3 voicings in root position at a minimum. many in second inversion too.

some of the 1rst and 3rd inversion fingerings are very awkward.

True, but if you replace the root with the 9th, they become less awkward (and in fact, they assume the same shape as other drop-2s).

[barrymclark]

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

learn all your drop 2 and drop 3 voicings in root position at a minimum. many in second inversion too.

some of the 1rst and 3rd inversion fingerings are very awkward.

Yep. Working on that.

The third inversion of the minor drop-3's are a bit awkward to me... but it is getting easier.

[barrymclark]

Originally Posted by FatJeff

True, but if you replace the root with the 9th, they become less awkward (and in fact, they assume the same shape as other drop-2s).

That is actually in the next lesson.

Once I get real comfy with the maj7, min7 and dom7's in the drop-2 and -3 positions, then I will head there.

What I am having some fun with is taking some tunes I know and getting away from the written progression and replacing them with these new chords I have learned. Sometimes just seeing how much of it I can play without moving my hand far from the location of the first chord.

Lots of fun.