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3 Note Movable Chord Forms

These 3 note movable chord forms are terrific for developing rhythm progressions in swing or jazz tunes.  Please note:

  • The same 3 strings are involved in each form.   There are other forms which can be made using other strings, but this set concentrates on lower voicings using just the low E, D and G strings.
  • Because these are movable chords, they can go anywhere on the neck.  They're sometimes called 10th Chords, because they span 10 tones on a major or minor scale.
  • Name your chord based on the root -- the 1 note, using the legend below each one.  In the case of the chord which has no root, figure it out by identifying the 5th note, then asking yourself, in what scale is this the 5th note?   That's the name of the chord.
  • Note that sometimes a form can be used in more than one way.   For example, depending on how the notes are named, it may be a 7th chord, or it may be a diminished 7th.  The key and the feel of the tune determine how the form is used.
  • The key to successful use of these chord forms is to be able to cleanly play the 3 strings, while effectively muting all others, then be able to move around quickly and cleanly.
3NoteForm_1.gif (1930 bytes) 3NoteForm_2.gif (1939 bytes) 3NoteForm_3.gif (1941 bytes) 3NoteForm_4.gif (1939 bytes)
M7 = 1 - 7b -3 M7 = 5 - 3 - 7b
        (no root)

Mdim7 = 1 - bb7(6) - 3b
same as m6 = 1 - 6 - 3b

m7 = 1 - 7b - 3b M = 3 - 1 - 5
3NoteForm_5.gif (1939 bytes) 3NoteForm_6.gif (1936 bytes) 3NoteForm_7.gif (1943 bytes)
m = 3b - 1 - 5

M6 = 1 - 6 - 3

Ma7 = 1 - 7 - 3 M = 5 - 3 - 1
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