understanding drop 2 chord voicings on a piano keyboard

byCeo Sanya • • 2 min read
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 Understanding Drop 2 Chord Voicings on the Piano

Drop 2 chord piano chords

If you're a pianist looking to enrich your harmonic vocabulary, drop 2 chord voicings are a fantastic tool to add depth and sophistication to your playing. Widely used in jazz, pop, and other genres, these voicings offer a smooth, open sound that’s both versatile and accessible. In this blog post, we’ll explore what drop 2 voicings are, how to construct them, and how to apply them on the piano.
What Are Drop 2 Chord Voicings?
Drop 2 voicings are a way of rearranging the notes of a chord to create a more open and playable sound. The term "drop 2" refers to taking the second-highest note of a close-position chord (where all notes are as close together as possible) and dropping it down an octave. This process spreads the chord out, making it sound less dense and more harmonically clear.
For example, let’s consider a Cmaj7 chord in root position close voicing:
  • Close voicing: C (root), E (third), G (fifth), B (seventh)
  • Drop 2 voicing: To create a drop 2 voicing, take the second-highest note (E) and drop it an octave. The new order becomes: E (third, now lowest), C (root), G (fifth), B (seventh).
This rearrangement results in a wider interval structure, which sounds open and balanced on the piano.
Why Use Drop 2 Voicings?
Drop 2 voicings are popular for several reasons:
  1. Clarity: The wider spacing prevents the chord from sounding muddy, especially in the lower register.
  2. Playability: They fit comfortably under the hands, making them practical for pianists.
  3. Versatility: Drop 2 voicings work well for comping, soloing, and arranging in various styles.
  4. Smooth Voice Leading: When moving between chords, drop 2 voicings allow for minimal movement of individual voices, creating seamless transitions.
Constructing Drop 2 Voicings
Let’s break down how to build drop 2 voicings step by step, using a Cmaj7 chord as an example.
Step 1: Start with a Close-Position Chord
A Cmaj7 chord in close position (root position) is:
  • C (root)
  • E (third)
  • G (fifth)
  • B (seventh)
Step 2: Identify the Second-Highest Note
In this voicing, the notes from lowest to highest are C, E, G, B. The second-highest note is E (the third).
Step 3: Drop the Second-Highest Note
Move E down an octave. The new voicing becomes:
  • E (third, now the lowest note)
  • C (root)
  • G (fifth)
  • B (seventh)
This is the root position drop 2 voicing for Cmaj7.
Step 4: Apply to Inversions
Drop 2 voicings can be applied to all inversions of a chord. For example, the first inversion of Cmaj7 (E, G, B, C) becomes a drop 2 voicing by dropping the second-highest note (B) an octave:
  • B (seventh, now lowest)
  • E (third)
  • G (fifth)
  • C (root)
You can repeat this process for the second inversion (G, B, C, E) and third inversion (B, C, E, G) to get all possible drop 2 voicings.
Common Chord Types for Drop 2 Voicings
Drop 2 voicings work with any four-note chord, including:
  • Major 7th (e.g., Cmaj7: C, E, G, B)
  • Minor 7th (e.g., Cm7: C, Eb, G, Bb)
  • Dominant 7th (e.g., C7: C, E, G, Bb)
  • Minor 7th Flat 5 (e.g., Cm7b5: C, Eb, Gb, Bb)
  • Diminished 7th (e.g., Cdim7: C, Eb, Gb, Bbb)
Experiment with these chord types in different keys and inversions to build fluency.
Applying Drop 2 Voicings on the Piano
Here are some practical ways to incorporate drop 2 voicings into your playing:
1. Comping in Jazz
When accompanying a soloist, use drop 2 voicings to create a full, supportive sound. For a ii-V-I progression in C major (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7):
  • Dm7: Use a drop 2 voicing like A–F–C–D.
  • G7: Use a drop 2 voicing like D–B–F–G.
  • Cmaj7: Use a drop 2 voicing like E–C–G–B.
These voicings allow for smooth voice leading, as each note moves minimally between chords.
2. Solo Piano Arrangements
For solo piano, use drop 2 voicings in your left hand to support a melody in your right hand. The open sound provides harmonic clarity while leaving space for melodic lines.
3. Chord Melody Playing
In chord melody arrangements, drop 2 voicings can be used to harmonize a melody. Place the melody note as the highest note and build a drop 2 voicing beneath it, adjusting inversions as needed.
4. Practice Tip: Inversions and Keys
To master drop 2 voicings, practice them in all 12 keys and through all inversions. Start with major 7th chords, then move to minor 7th, dominant 7th, and other chord types. Use a metronome to build speed and accuracy.
Exercises to Get Started
  1. Basic Voicing Drill: Play a Cmaj7 drop 2 voicing in all four inversions (root, 1st, 2nd, 3rd). Repeat in all 12 keys.
  2. Progression Practice: Play a ii-V-I progression (e.g., Dm7–G7–Cmaj7) using drop 2 voicings in root position, then in different inversions.
  3. Voice Leading Challenge: Choose a standard jazz tune (e.g., “Autumn Leaves”) and play the chords using drop 2 voicings, focusing on minimal movement between chords.
  4. Improvisation: Improvise a melody over a drop 2 chord progression, using the voicing as a foundation.
Advanced Applications of Drop 2 Voicings
Once you’re comfortable with the basics of drop 2 voicings, you can explore more advanced applications to further enhance your piano playing. These techniques will help you integrate drop 2 voicings into more complex harmonic contexts and creative scenarios.
1. Using Drop 2 Voicings with Extensions
Drop 2 voicings can be adapted to include chord extensions like the 9th, 11th, or 13th, which add color and sophistication. For example, to create a Cmaj9 chord (C, E, G, B, D) in a drop 2 voicing:
  • Start with a close-position Cmaj9: C (root), E (third), G (fifth), B (seventh), D (ninth).
  • Since drop 2 typically works with four-note chords, you can prioritize the most essential extensions. For instance, omit the root (C) and use E, G, B, D.
  • Apply the drop 2 process: the close voicing E, G, B, D becomes G (fifth, dropped an octave), E (third), B (seventh), D (ninth).
This G–E–B–D voicing is a lush Cmaj9 sound that’s perfect for jazz or neo-soul arrangements. Experiment with other extensions like the #11 (F# for Cmaj7#11) or 13th (A for G13).
2. Altered Dominant Voicings
For dominant 7th chords, drop 2 voicings can incorporate altered tensions (b9, #9, #5, b13) to create tension and resolution. For a G7alt chord:
  • Start with G7 (G, B, D, F) and add altered tensions, e.g., Ab (b9) or Eb (b13).
  • A close voicing might be B (third), D (fifth), F (seventh), Ab (b9).
  • Drop the second-highest note (D) an octave to get D–B–F–Ab.
This voicing adds a gritty, jazzy flavor, ideal for resolving to a C minor or C major chord.
3. Spread Voicings Across Both Hands
For a fuller sound, distribute drop 2 voicings across both hands. For a Cmaj7 drop 2 voicing (E–C–G–B):
  • Left hand: Play E (third) and C (root).
  • Right hand: Play G (fifth) and B (seventh).
This approach leaves room for a melody or improvisation in the right hand’s upper register while maintaining the harmonic foundation. It’s particularly effective in solo piano or when comping with a bassist.
4. Modal Interchange and Drop 2
Drop 2 voicings can enhance modal interchange chords (borrowing chords from parallel modes). For example, in the key of C major, you might borrow EbMaj7 from C minor (Aeolian or Phrygian mode). Construct the drop 2 voicing for EbMaj7:
  • Close voicing: Eb, G, Bb, D.
  • Drop 2: Bb (fifth, dropped), Eb (root), G (third), D (seventh).
This Bb–Eb–G–D voicing adds a rich, unexpected harmonic shift when used in a C major context, perfect for pop ballads or cinematic arrangements.
5. Polychords and Drop 2
Drop 2 voicings can be combined with polychords (stacking two chords together). For instance, to imply a D minor over a C major sound (D–F–A over C–E–G):
  • Use a drop 2 voicing for Dm7 (A–F–C–D) in the left hand.
  • Add a C major triad (C–E–G) in the right hand.
The result is a complex, layered sound that maintains clarity thanks to the open structure of the drop 2 voicing.
Practice Strategies for Mastery
To internalize these advanced applications, try the following exercises:
  1. Extension Exploration: Take a major 7th, minor 7th, and dominant 7th chord in all keys. Create drop 2 voicings with one extension (9th, 11th, or 13th) for each.
  2. Altered Dominant Workout: Practice drop 2 voicings for dominant 7th chords with at least one altered tension (b9, #9, #5, b13). Apply them to a ii-V-I progression.
  3. Two-Hand Voicing Drill: Play drop 2 voicings split between both hands for a I–vi–ii–V progression (e.g., Cmaj7–Am7–Dm7–G7). Add a simple melody in the right hand.
  4. Modal Interchange Challenge: Write a short progression that includes one borrowed chord (e.g., bVIImaj7 or bIIIm7). Use drop 2 voicings for all chords.
  5. Song Application: Pick a standard or pop song and reharmonize part of it using drop 2 voicings with extensions or altered tensions. Record yourself to evaluate the sound.
Creative Uses in Different Genres
  • Jazz: Use drop 2 voicings for comping behind a soloist or to create smooth chord melody arrangements of standards like “All the Things You Are.”
  • Pop/R&B: Apply drop 2 voicings with 9ths or 11ths for a modern, airy sound in ballads or grooves, as heard in artists like Alicia Keys or D’Angelo.
  • Classical Fusion: Incorporate drop 2 voicings in minimalist or cinematic pieces to blend jazz harmony with classical textures.
  • Neo-Soul: Use drop 2 voicings with modal interchange or polychords to create the lush, soulful harmonic palette of artists like Robert Glasper or Erykah Badu.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
  • Muddy Sound: If voicings sound cluttered, ensure the lowest note is above the piano’s lowest octave (around C2 or D2). Drop 2 voicings work best in the middle register.
  • Hand Strain: If voicings feel awkward, try splitting notes between hands or simplifying extensions. Practice slowly to build muscle memory.
  • Voice Leading: To achieve smoother transitions, map out the chord tones’ movement before playing. Aim for minimal shifts (e.g., common tones staying in place).
Resources for Further Study
  • Books: Check out The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine or Berklee Jazz Keyboard Harmony for in-depth chord voicing techniques.
  • Online Tutorials: Platforms like YouTube have jazz piano channels (e.g., Walk That Bass or Piano Pig) with drop 2 voicing lessons.
  • Practice Tracks: Use backing tracks from apps like iReal Pro to practice comping with drop 2 voicings in real time.
  • Listening: Study pianists like Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, or Brad Mehldau to hear drop 2 voicings in action.
Final Thoughts
Drop 2 chord voicings are a powerful tool for pianists, offering a balance of harmonic richness and practicality. By understanding how to construct and apply these voicings, you can elevate your comping, soloing, and arranging skills. Start by practicing the examples above, and soon you’ll find drop 2 voicings becoming a natural part of your musical toolkit.
Conclusion
Drop 2 chord voicings are a gateway to unlocking a world of harmonic possibilities on the piano. By mastering their construction, applying extensions, and exploring creative applications, you can transform your playing across genres. The key is consistent practice and experimentation—try incorporating these voicings into your daily routine, and you’ll soon hear the difference in your sound.
So, grab your keyboard, start experimenting with these voicings, and let your creativity soar. What’s your favorite way to use drop 2 voicings? Share your ideas or questions in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going!
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