How to play Shell Chords on guitar (chord charts and application

Shell chords are foundational shapes that every guitarist should know. These simplified three-note chords highlight the most essential tones in a chord—the root, third, and seventh—giving you a clearer understanding of how chords are built and function.

Because they focus only on the most important notes, shell chords serve as excellent building blocks for creating richer harmonic variations and expanding your chord vocabulary.

In this guide, we’ll break down the theory behind shell chords, explore their shapes on different string sets, and apply them in musical examples with tabs and audio.

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Shell chords overview

Shell chords are simplified three note chords that highlight the important notes in a chord. Shell chords, also known as shell voicings, include the root, 3rd, and 7th chord tones to outline a chord quality. The 5th chord tone is omitted from shell chords since they don’t define the chord quality as distinctly as the other chord tones.

Here’s how different chord qualities are reduced to their essential shell chord tones:

• Major 7 chord – 1, 3, 7. For example: C Major 7: C, E, B
• Major 6 chord – 1, 3, 6. For example: C Major 6: C, E, A
• Dominant 7 chord – 1, 3, b7. For example: C 7: C, E, Bb
• Minor 7 chord – 1, b3, b7. For example: C minor 7: C, Eb, Bb
• Minor 6 chord – 1, b3, 6. For example: C minor 6: C, Eb, A
  

Guitar shell chord shapes on the 6th string

We’ll start with shell chord shapes starting on the 6th string, and then cover the ones on the 5th string. Here is a quick overview of how to read the chord charts below.

How to read the guitar chord charts

For the following chord charts:

• The lowest horizontal line represents the thickest string (Low E). The top horizontal line represents the thinnest string (high E). 
• The numbers inside the blue circles represent the suggested fingering to use on your fretting hand.
• The chord tones are written on the right of each string that is being played.
• Red X indicates not to play a specific string.

If needed, check out how to read guitar notation symbols.

Major 7 shell chords – 6th string

You will see two variations of shell chords for each chord quality. One way to order the chord tones is 1, 7, and 3 from the bottom to the top note. The second way is to play them 1, 3, and 7.

Major 6 shell chords – 6th string

Dominant 7 shell chords – 6th string

Minor 7 shell chords – 6th string

For the the 2nd voicing, you can also play it with fingers 3, 1, and 4 from the bottom string up. Use whatever is most comfortable for you.

Minor 6 shell chords – 6th string

These shapes are technically the same for fully diminished chords which have a double flatted 7th chord tone (same as a 6th interval).

Guitar shell chords on the 5th string

Major 7 shell chords – 5th string

Major 6 shell chords – 5th string

Dominant 7 shell chords – 5th string

Minor 7 shell chords – 5th string

You can also play the 2nd voicing here with fingers 3, 1, and 4 from the bottom string up. Use whatever is most comfortable for you.

Minor 6 shell chords – 5th string

Get the chart here!

Easily look up guitar chords with the Essential Guitar Chords Chart!

This chart covers how to play:

• Major chords
• Minor chords
• Major 7 chords
• Minor 7 chords
• Dominant chords
• Half diminished chords
• Diminished chords
• Chords starting on all (12) root notes
• Over 80+ chords!

👉 Get it here!

Chord progression examples using shell chords

Here are some musical examples using shell chords including tabs and audio.

Shell chord progression example 1

The first chord progression is in the key of C Major.

Shell chord progression example 2

Here is the same chord progression as the previous except we shift the chords to the key of G Major.

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Shell chord progression example 3

This progression is also in the key of G Major with some borrowed chord in measures 2 and 3.

Shell chord progression example 4

This last chord progression is in the key of C# minor.

Wrapping up

Shell chords simplify chord shapes by emphasizing the most important notes that define a chord’s quality. Despite using only three notes, they produce a rich, compact sound, making them ideal for accompanying vocals or other instruments.

Once you’ve mastered these shapes, you can expand upon them to build more complex chords, such as 7th chords and extensions like 9th, 11th, and 13th chords, which we cover in this lesson on jazz chords.

A great way to internalize shell chords is to practice them in different keys and apply them to real music. Try to use them in songs, experiment with progressions, and listen to how they create harmony. The more you explore, the more naturally they’ll fit into your playing, unlocking new creative possibilities!

📘 Get the free guitar practice guide here!

All the best,
JG Music Lessons

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