Chords
Drop 2 voicing
A drop 2 voicing is built by taking a four-note chord in close position and dropping its second-highest note down an octave.
What is a drop 2 voicing?
Start from a seventh chord in close position, all notes within one octave: Cmaj7 = C E G B, low to high. Take the second note from the top (G) and move it down an octave: you get G C E B. That is a drop 2.
Apply it to all four close positions and you get four drop 2 voicings:
| Close position | Dropped note | Drop 2 (low to high) | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| C E G B | G | G C E B | fifth |
| E G B C | B | B E G C | seventh |
| G B C E | C | C G B E | root |
| B C E G | E | E B C G | third |
Why bother? A close four-note chord is almost unplayable on guitar. Drop 2 spreads the notes across four adjacent strings, right under your fingers.
The four Cmaj7 inversions on the top strings
On the D, G, B and high E strings, moving up the neck:
- Third in the bass: xx2413 (E B C G)
- Fifth in the bass: xx5557 (G C E B)
- Seventh in the bass: xx9988 (B E G C)
- Root in the bass: xx(10)(12)(12)(12) (C G B E)
Each shape is a different inversion of the same chord. On the A, D, G and B strings, the root-on-A shape is the one you will use most:
| Chord | Fingering | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cmaj7 | x3545x | C G B E |
| C7 | x3535x | C G B♭ E |
| Cm7 | x3534x | C G B♭ E♭ |
| Cm7♭5 | x3434x | C G♭ B♭ E♭ |
Example: a ii-V-I in C on four strings
Stay around the 3rd fret, on the D, G, B and high E strings:
- Dm7: xx3535 (F C D A)
- G7: xx3433 (F B D G)
- Cmaj7: xx2413 (E B C G)
Follow each string: D string F, F, E; G string C, B, B; B string D, D, C; high E A, G, G. No voice moves more than a whole step. That is ideal voice leading, and the signature sound of jazz guitar. Then replay the same progression with the shell voicings x5x56x, 3x34xx and x3x45x to compare the density.
Common drop 2 mistakes
- Moving a shape to another string set without adjusting it: because of the major third between the G and B strings, Cmaj7 x3545x does not move unchanged to the D-G-B-E set. The note that lands on the B string must go up one fret (the result, xx3555, is Fmaj7).
- Letting the low strings ring: a drop 2 on the top strings stays on four strings. Mute the low E and A strings.
- Learning only the root-position shape: the four inversions exist precisely so you can change chords without jumping.
Key takeaways
- Drop 2 = the second voice from the top drops an octave.
- Four inversions per chord, on four adjacent strings.
- The D-G-B-E and A-D-G-B sets are the most useful.
- To prepare, learn triads on every string set first with the guitar triads tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between drop 2 and drop 3?
In a drop 3, the third note from the top drops an octave. The notes then spread out with one skipped string, often with the bass on the low E: Cmaj7 drop 3 = 8x998x (C B E G).
Are drop 2 voicings only for jazz?
No. You hear them in soul, funk, bossa nova and arranged pop. Whenever a seventh chord needs to sound clear on four strings, drop 2 is the natural choice.
How many drop 2 shapes should I learn?
Start with maj7, 7, m7 and m7♭5 on one string set, with all four inversions: sixteen shapes. Then add a second string set. Two sets are enough to comp through most standards.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.