This section now looks at open string movable shape 7th chords
As the keys incorporate more sharp and flat notes it becomes increasingly
difficult to finger all the relevant notes in an open format.
Due to this factor these chords, tend to re-occur in specific patterns.
The following series of illustrations will show some of these shapes.
Minor 7th chord shapes
The 6 shapes below represent a fraction of the possible minor 7th variations
available to the guitarist. These however are some of the most common shapes
currently in popular use.
Shape one Shape two Shape three
Shape 1: on the left is a root 5 variation. This shape can be
mover around the fret board as required.
It has it’s foundations in the root 6 minor shape. The difference
lies in the fingering. Only the notes on the G B and E
strings remain the same. This is a standard minor fingering for jazz tunes.
Shape 2: The center shape is an open E minor chord with an added minor 7th
note on the B string at the 3 rd fret or D note.
Shape 3: The shape on the right is basically a root 5 minor chord.
The only difference is the note on the A string is not played.
Shape four Shape five Shape six
Shape 4: On the left is basically the standard root 4 minor 7 shape.
The root note will be on the open D string.
Shape 5: The center shape is simply a variation on the root 6 minor shape.
The notes on the A and E strings are not played. It can be moved
around the fret board as required.
Shape 6: The shape on the right is basically an open root 5 minor chord.
All the notes are the same but with this example the open A G and E strings are played.