The first set of chords you learn in this lesson are shell chords, built with the root, 3rd, and 7th of each chord with a few exceptions, such as 6 chords. These three notes tell you the root of the chord, whether it’s major or minor, and if it’s a maj7, m7, 7, etc. chord. That’s a lot of information that you can convey in your comping with a small and relatively easy chord shape. This makes shell chords essential learning for anyone exploring jazz guitar.
