Traditional Shell Voicings

Traditional Shell Voicings

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence December 8, 2019 Duration: 17:02

This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Traditional Shell Voicings for the primary sounds of music (Major, Dominant, Minor, Half Diminished, Diminished). Two voicing options are constructed for each chord to be played in your left hand:

You can listen to this Podcast Episode at JazzPianoSkills and have access to the SpeakPipe Widget that allows you to speak immediately and directly to Dr. Bob Lawrence. Ask your questions, get answers, and interact one-on-one with Bob.

PODCAST LESSON OUTLINE

  1. Traditional Major Shell Voicings
    1. 3-7-9 (Ionian Mode)
    2. 7-3-5 (Ionian Mode)
  2. Traditional Dominant Shell Voicings
    1. 3-7-9 (Mixolydian Mode)
    2. 7-3-5 (Mixolydian Mode)
  3. Traditional Minor Shell Voicings
    1. 3-7-9 (Dorian Mode)
    2. 7-3-9 (Dorian Mode)
  4. Traditional Half Diminished Voicings
    1. 3-7-9 (Locrian Mode)
    2. 7-3-5 (Locrian Mode)
  5. Traditional Diminished Shell Voicings
    1. 3-7-9 (7th Mode Harmonic Minor)
    2. 7-3-5 (7th Mode Harmonic Minor)

The C Chord Family Voicings

  1. Traditional C Major Shell Voicings
    1. E-B-D (Ionian Mode)
    2. B-E-G (Ionian Mode)
  2. Traditional C Dominant Shell Voicings
    1. E-Bb-D (Mixolydian Mode)
    2. Bb-D-G (Mixolydian Mode)
  3. Traditional C Minor Shell Voicings
    1. Eb-Bb-D (Dorian Mode)
    2. Bb-Eb-G (Dorian Mode)
  4. Traditional C Half Diminished Voicings
    1. Eb-Bb-Db (Locrian Mode)
    2. Bb-Eb-Gb (Locrian Mode)
  5. Traditional C Diminished Shell Voicings
    1. Eb-A-Db (7th Mode Harmonic Minor)
    2. A-Eb-Gb (7th Mode Harmonic Minor)

Visit JazzPianoSkills.com for a comprehensive curriculum of jazz piano courses and lessons exploring the essential jazz piano skills used by professional jazz pianists.

Support the show


There's a certain magic in hearing a great jazz pianist, a feeling that it's both complex and effortless. Jazz Piano Skills pulls back the curtain on that magic, transforming it into a clear, practical path forward. Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence, an educator and the President of The Dallas School of Music, this series feels less like a lecture and more like a series of private sessions. Each episode focuses on a tangible skill, breaking down the theory, harmony, and technique that define the jazz language. You'll hear Bob at the keyboard, demonstrating chord voicings, improvisational patterns, and rhythmic concepts, explaining the 'why' behind every note. Whether you're deciphering a standard or building a solo from scratch, the guidance is always rooted in practical application. This podcast is designed for those who want to move beyond simply playing notes on a page and start speaking through the instrument. It’s a deep, methodical exploration of the art form, offering structured lessons that build upon each other. Tune in and find your voice at the keys, learning directly from a professional whose teaching strips away the intimidation and fuels genuine musical growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

Jazz Piano Skills
Podcast Episodes
Blue Bossa, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Blue Bossa, Jazz Education, Practice Strategy, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Skills, Learning J…
Blue Bossa, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Blue Bossa, Jazz Skills, Music Education, Piano Techniques, Improvisation, Harmony, Melody, Jazz Standards, Music The…
Celebrating 300 Episodes! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
KeywordsJazz Piano, Music Education, Teaching, Learning, Jazz Skills, Piano Skills, Music Journey, Jazz Episodes, Music Theory, Jazz ImprovisationSummaryIn this celebratory 300th episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Law…
That's All, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:16
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, improvisation, music theory, jazz skills, piano techniques, chord tones, rhythmic vocabulary, music education, jazz c…
That's All, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:06
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Practice Strategy, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Ear Training, Chord…
That's All, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, music education, jazz skills, harmonic analysis, improvisation, music theory, jazz standards, piano voicings, learning jazz…
Congrats, You're Improvising! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, improvisation, arpeggios, melodic vocabulary, jazz education, music theory, jazz standards, musical patterns, jazz skills,…
Inverted Major Arpeggios [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:10
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Inverted Arpeggios, Improvisation, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Harmony, Melody, Music Practice, George Gershwin, Lady Be…
Lady Be Good, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:40
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Arpeggios, Music Theory, Practice Techniques, Jazz Skills, Lady Be Good, Music Education, Piano Lessons, Jazz CommunitySumm…
Lady Be Good, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:05
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Practice Plan, Seven Facts of Music, Lady Be Good, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Skills, Music Pract…