Upper Structure Voicings

And "upper structure" voicing is a jazz chord voicing with a triad at the top. The triad is not based on the root of the chord, and is supported by some regular chord tones underneath. Pianists often play the triad with the right hand and two chord tones underneath it with the left hand. These translate very nicely to the Stick, where you can play the two chord tones AND a bass note with the left hand while playing the triad with the right.

Here are some of the more common upper structure voicing types:

1. Shapes
   1. Major (II)
   2. Major (V)
   3. Minor-Major (V)
   4. Dominant (II)
   5. Dominant 13b9 (VI)
   6. Altered Dominant (bVI)
   7. Half-Diminished (bVII)


2. Progressions with Good Voice Leading

   These are good to accompany a soloist, or melody notes can be added above to create a solo Stick part.

   1. Major ii-V-I
      1. Root on lowest bass string
      2. Root on second-lowest bass string
   2. Minor ii-V-i
      1. Root on lowest bass string
      2. Root on second-lowest bass string

Here is a really good page about upper structure voicings.

Mark Smart Home
Last Updated on 07-03-2008 at 8:57 am
Questions or comments? Email me
And check out my YouTube Playlist.