39 Voicings of the Tonic, Dominant, and Subdominant Chords in Jazz
Jazz employs tall chords instead of triads and seventh chords. As a result, five voices are typical.
The examples below show possible voicings for ninth and thirteenth chords. They are shown on an F root in the two most frequent voicing combinations with the 9th and 5th of the chords in the soprano (the lead). The chords are also shown in open spacing by using the “drop 2” technique of lowering the second voice below the lead by an octave into the bass clef.
These voicings can be modified to incorporate other extensions, such as 
11 and 5(
9).
The set with the 9th on top
The set with the 5th on top
6/9 chords
The following 6/9 chords are interchangeable with their major ninth chords as tonic harmony. The 6/9 also is possible as a tonic minor 6/9 chord by lowering the 3rd of the chord by a half step. The “drop 3” technique is the lowering of the third voice from the top by an octave to create an open spacing.
Memorize the structures of the above chords by using numbers:
| 9th lead | drop 2 | 5th lead | drop 2 | |
| RH | 9 7 5 3 |
9 5 3 |
5 3 9 7 |
5 9 7 |
| LH | 1 | 7 1 |
1 | 3 1 |
Practice