Chord Economics: Deciding What Notes to Leave Out of Voicings

[Reg]

Depending on gig, those notes can get very expensive...

[pkirk]

Usually my starting point is major, minor, dominant, or m7b5. I may also add maj7b5 or maj7#5 or min(#7) to the list of "starting points" in the right context. In general I probably toss out the root, 5th on most chords, except when I'm going for a Quartal type sound (eg mi11 or 6/9 type chords)

[ecj]

Hey Jonzo... I've said it probably too many times... with reference to Jazz...Mine is 7th chords. Extensions and triads are in reference to. Those 7th chords would have an implied complete structure... all the extensions etc... but when I choose to use the rest of the implied note collections, all the extensions... there's a reason, an organizational method of using.

I like that you keep harping on this, Reg. The idea of having a "foundation" or "starting point" that you base whatever else you do off of. It's something I've been gradually realizing for myself and working on over the last few years.

[Reg]

Thanks ecj... It's helped me over the years. For me personally... there's just too many things to remember. So I use harmonic boxes that have different starting points... foundations. They mechanically help organize my playing.... my memory, all the internalized aspects... ( I always use concept... then application). If I had more talent... might not have been that important...

Reg

[jdaguitar2]

I like to let the situation dictate the texture of the voicing, the more instruments present the "thinner" the chord can be.

For chord melody/ solos I use larger voicings.