Master Shell Chords

Chord Shapes

Shell chords come in all kinds of shapes, we are going to organize them according to the position of their root, That Root, the note that gives the note name to the chord can be placed on string 6 or 5, we will build a shape for each place so we will have 2 shapes for each chord species.

Dominant Shapes R 3 b7

Shape with root on string 6, fret 5, note A what results in a A7 Chord

Shape with root on string 5, fret 5, note D what results in a D Maj7 Chord

Major 7 Shapes R 3 7

Do you remember? You have learned 2 shapes, A7 on string 6 and D7 on string 5, How do you track chords using the D7 shape? Same system than with the string 6 but applying it on the string 5, D7 is on the fret 5, string 5 so If you want to play E7 you only need to rais it 1 tone, 2 frets, your E7 will be on fret 7.

This system lets you find 7th chords all over the neck by shifting the entire shape.

Shape with root on string 6, fret 5, note A what results in a A Maj7 Chord

Shape with root on string 5, fret 5, note D what results in a D7 Chord

Minor 7 Shapes R b3 b7

Shape with root on string 6, fret 5, note A what results in a A-7 Chord

Shape with root on string 5, fret 5, note D what results in a D-7 Chord

Having the Dominant Shapes, the -7 Shapes and the Maj7 Shapes allows you to combine them and begin playing chord progressions. All you need is to find the root that gives name to the chord and then place the shape, Dominant, Major or Minor, If you search the shapes on the string 6 and on the string 5 you will practice your chord tracking skills.

Once you feel more or less "confortable" finding the chord shapes it´s time to practice chord progressions in a functional way, search your first shape, the next chord shape must be the nearest to that shape you just played, keep it that way and you will be playing tunes in no time!

Minor 7b5 or Half Diminished Shapes R b3 b5 b7

For this kind of chords you don´t need to learn new shapes, you can use the Minor 7 Shapes, in Shell Chord Shapes there is no 5. Still I would recommend to learn the basic 2 full Shapes of the Half Diminished chords, They give a more distinct sound to the chord and in many cases it´s a better choice.

Shape with root on string 6, fret 5, note A what results in a A-7b5 Chord

Shape with root on string 5, fret 5, note D what results in a D-7b5 Chord