omitting roots in chords

[evergreen]

Discovered this trick: When play with bass I often omit the roots of chords delegating this function to a bassist and play 3rd or 7th instead.

E.g. instead of standard changes over | A7 | Dm7 |

A7(+5) Dm7(9)
-----------
-6-------5-
-6-------5-
-5-------3-
---------5-
-5---------

I often play these

A7(13/b9) A7(+5) Dm7(9)
-6----------5----------5
-7----------6----------5
-6----------6----------5
-5----------5----------3
------------------------
------------------------

And it sounds better imho, eh?

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Yes, I've heard that suggestion before..let the bass player play the root.

But since I play alone (I'm just learning) I need that root.

Great post. Keep'em coming!

 

[evergreen]

But since I play alone (I'm just learning) I need that root.

In most cases it works for playing alone too as long as you keep 3rd or 7th in the bass. Play Fmaj instead of Dm7 and some guitarists will envy you.

 

[Robert]

I usually avoid the root too when I'm chording blues and jazz. It's great practice to play each one 4-note chord you know with inversions, making 4 version of the same chord.

For example, play the chord starting on the root, starting on the 3rd, starting on the 5th, and starting on the 7th. Still the same chord, but it gives you options.

Fmaj7 instead of Dmin7 is an example of playing the Dmin7 chord starting on the 3rd.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

In most cases it works for playing alone too as long as you keep 3rd or 7th in the bass. Play Fmaj instead of Dm7 and some guitarists will envy you.

Thanks for the tip.