Stage 2 of 7

Three-Note Shells

Hearing Voice Leading

Three-note shells add the third note — now you have root, 3rd, and 7th. This is where voice leading becomes audible. When you play a ii-V-I (Dm7-G7-Cmaj7), the 7th of Dm7 (C) resolves down to the 3rd of G7 (B), and the 7th of G7 (F) resolves down to the 3rd of Cmaj7 (E).

This stepwise descent is the engine of jazz harmony, and three-note shells make it obvious.

Prerequisites

Comfortable with two-note shells and can hear major vs minor chord quality.

Voicing Styles in This Stage

Shell

How to Practice

1.Play ii-V-I shells in all 12 keys — watch the 7th resolve to the 3rd each time
2.Practise with two inversions: root on bottom (root-3-7) and root on top (3-7-root)
3.Play through Autumn Leaves with shells only — listen for the resolution points
4.Record yourself playing shells over a backing track and listen to whether the voice leading is smooth