Jazz
Quartal voicings
By MARK hULs
Multi-Purpose 4th Forms for Jazz and Fusion Chording
From Hal Leonard Guitar Method:
Jazz-Rock Fusion (00697378)
Interval Structures
Chords forms may also occur based on an interval pattern outside of the conventionally stacked 3rd forms. Quartal voicings
are forms built on a pattern of 4ths. They occur as either pure 4ths, in which only the interval of a perfect fourth exists between
chord tones, and diatonic fourths, which incorporate a different interval in combination with 4ths to accommodate a certain
relationship. The diatonic fourth forms below illustrate the incorporation of an augmented 4th. However, any interval may be
coupled with 4ths to form different chords.
These forms can function as several different chords depending on what note of the form is determined to be the root. In the following figure, they function in one of their most common roles: m11 chords.
The root of a chord form may also be a surrounding note not in the form. In cases such as these, it’s nice to have a bass player
on hand to cover the root. In the following figure, the last of the previous diatonic 4th forms is shifted to various spots along
the neck to play each of the “B” chords, with the roots of Bm6/9, B7#9#5, and B13 not directly contained in the form. On the
accompanying track, the bass drones a B root throughout the progression.
