Practice Lab

Guitar · tunes

Blue Bossa changes on guitar

Blue Bossa through its whole 16-bar form, comped in drop 2, drop 3, shell and rootless voicings.

The form

BarsChordsKey center
1–8Cm7 | Cm7 | Fm7 | Fm7 | Dm7♭5 | G7 | Cm7 | Cm7C minor
9–16E♭m7 | A♭7 | D♭maj7 | D♭maj7 | Dm7♭5 | G7 | Cm7 | Cm7D♭ major, C minor

Drop 2 voicings

Four notes on four neighboring strings, the second voice from the top dropped an octave. The voices move 51 semitones through the form; the largest single step is 4. Practice Blue Bossa in drop 2 voicings

Top line: 1–8G – G – G – A♭ – A♭ – A♭ – G – G9–16B♭ – B♭ – A♭ – A♭ – A♭ – A♭ – G – G

12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 2, 66String 2, fret 3, 99String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm6/9 (bar 1)
Grip x-x-1-2-3-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭3 6 9 5
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 1, 11String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm7 (bar 2)
Grip x-x-1-3-1-3 · frets 1–3
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b7b7String 3, fret 1, b3b3String 2, fret 1, 55String 1, fret 3, 99
Fm9 (bar 3)
Grip x-x-1-1-1-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭7 ♭3 5 9
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12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b7b7String 3, fret 1, b3b3String 2, fret 1, 55String 1, fret 3, 99
Fm9 (bar 3)
Grip x-x-1-1-1-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭7 ♭3 5 9

Bars 1–8

34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, 11String 3, fret 3, 1111String 2, fret 4, b7b7String 1, fret 4, b3b3
Fm7(11) (bar 4)
Grip x-x-3-3-4-4 · frets 3–4Voiced: 1 11 ♭7 ♭3
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, b3b3String 3, fret 5, b7b7String 2, fret 3, 11String 1, fret 4, b5b5
Dm7♭5 (bar 5)
Grip x-x-3-5-3-4 · frets 3–5
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, b7b7String 3, fret 4, 33String 2, fret 3, 55String 1, fret 4, b9b9
G7♭9 (bar 6)
Grip x-x-3-4-3-4 · frets 3–4Voiced: ♭7 3 5 ♭9
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 2, 66String 2, fret 3, 99String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm6/9 (bar 7)
Grip x-x-1-2-3-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭3 6 9 5
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 2, 66String 2, fret 3, 99String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm6/9 (bar 8)
Grip x-x-1-2-3-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭3 6 9 5

Bars 9–16

45678E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 4, b3b3String 3, fret 6, b7b7String 2, fret 4, 11String 1, fret 6, 55
E♭m7 (bar 9)
Grip x-x-4-6-4-6 · frets 4–6→ D♭ major
45678E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 4, b7b7String 3, fret 5, 33String 2, fret 4, 55String 1, fret 6, 99
A♭9 (bar 10)
Grip x-x-4-5-4-6 · frets 4–6Voiced: ♭7 3 5 9
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, 33String 3, fret 5, 77String 2, fret 4, 99String 1, fret 4, 55
D♭maj9 (bar 11)
Grip x-x-3-5-4-4 · frets 3–5Voiced: 3 7 9 5
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, 33String 3, fret 3, 66String 2, fret 4, 99String 1, fret 4, 55
D♭6/9 (bar 12)
Grip x-x-3-3-4-4 · frets 3–4Voiced: 3 6 9 5
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, b3b3String 3, fret 5, b7b7String 2, fret 3, 11String 1, fret 4, b5b5
Dm7♭5 (bar 13)
Grip x-x-3-5-3-4 · frets 3–5→ C minor
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 3, b7b7String 3, fret 4, 33String 2, fret 3, 55String 1, fret 4, b9b9
G7♭9 (bar 14)
Grip x-x-3-4-3-4 · frets 3–4Voiced: ♭7 3 5 ♭9
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 2, 66String 2, fret 3, 99String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm6/9 (bar 15)
Grip x-x-1-2-3-3 · frets 1–3Voiced: ♭3 6 9 5
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 1, 11String 1, fret 3, 55
Cm7 (bar 16)
Grip x-x-1-3-1-3 · frets 1–3

Drop 3 voicings

Four notes with a string skipped above the bass, the third voice from the top dropped an octave. The voices move 60 semitones through the form; the largest single step is 5. Practice Blue Bossa in drop 3 voicings

Top line: 1–8A – A – A♭ – A♭ – C – B – A – A9–16D♭ – C – C – C – C – B – B♭ – A

1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b3b3String 4, fret 12, 99String 3, fret 12, 55String 2, fret 10, 66
Cm6/9 (bar 1)
Grip 11-x-12-12-10-x · frets 10–12Voiced: ♭3 9 5 6
1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b3b3String 4, fret 10, 11String 3, fret 12, 55String 2, fret 10, 66
Cm6 (bar 2)
Grip 11-x-10-12-10-x · frets 10–12Voiced: ♭3 1 5 6
910111213E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b7b7String 4, fret 10, 55String 3, fret 10, 11String 2, fret 9, b3b3
Fm7 (bar 3)
Grip 11-x-10-10-9-x · frets 9–11
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910111213E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b7b7String 4, fret 10, 55String 3, fret 10, 11String 2, fret 9, b3b3
Fm7 (bar 3)
Grip 11-x-10-10-9-x · frets 9–11

Bars 1–8

89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 8, 55String 4, fret 8, 1111String 3, fret 8, b7b7String 2, fret 9, b3b3
Fm7(11) (bar 4)
Grip 8-x-8-8-9-x · frets 8–9Voiced: 5 11 ♭7 ♭3
7891011E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b3b3String 3, fret 7, 11String 2, fret 9, b5b5String 1, fret 8, b7b7
Dm7♭5 (bar 5)
Grip x-8-x-7-9-8 · frets 7–9
7891011E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b7b7String 3, fret 7, 55String 2, fret 9, b9b9String 1, fret 7, 33
G7♭9 (bar 6)
Grip x-8-x-7-9-7 · frets 7–9Voiced: ♭7 5 ♭9 3
1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b3b3String 4, fret 12, 99String 3, fret 12, 55String 2, fret 10, 66
Cm6/9 (bar 7)
Grip 11-x-12-12-10-x · frets 10–12Voiced: ♭3 9 5 6
1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b3b3String 4, fret 10, 11String 3, fret 12, 55String 2, fret 10, 66
Cm6 (bar 8)
Grip 11-x-10-12-10-x · frets 10–12Voiced: ♭3 1 5 6

Bars 9–16

89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 9, b3b3String 3, fret 8, 11String 2, fret 9, 1111String 1, fret 9, b7b7
E♭m7(11) (bar 9)
Grip x-9-x-8-9-9 · frets 8–9Voiced: ♭3 1 11 ♭7→ D♭ major
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 9, b7b7String 3, fret 8, 55String 2, fret 9, 11String 1, fret 8, 33
A♭7 (bar 10)
Grip x-9-x-8-9-8 · frets 8–9
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 33String 3, fret 8, 99String 2, fret 9, 55String 1, fret 8, 77
D♭maj9 (bar 11)
Grip x-8-x-8-9-8 · frets 8–9Voiced: 3 9 5 7
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 33String 3, fret 8, 99String 2, fret 9, 55String 1, fret 8, 77
D♭maj9 (bar 12)
Grip x-8-x-8-9-8 · frets 8–9Voiced: 3 9 5 7
7891011E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b3b3String 3, fret 7, 11String 2, fret 9, b5b5String 1, fret 8, b7b7
Dm7♭5 (bar 13)
Grip x-8-x-7-9-8 · frets 7–9→ C minor
7891011E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b7b7String 3, fret 7, 55String 2, fret 9, b9b9String 1, fret 7, 33
G7♭9 (bar 14)
Grip x-8-x-7-9-7 · frets 7–9Voiced: ♭7 5 ♭9 3
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 3, fret 7, 99String 2, fret 8, 55String 1, fret 6, b7b7
Cm9 (bar 15)
Grip x-6-x-7-8-6 · frets 6–8Voiced: ♭3 9 5 ♭7
1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 11, b3b3String 4, fret 10, 11String 3, fret 12, 55String 2, fret 10, 66
Cm6 (bar 16)
Grip 11-x-10-12-10-x · frets 10–12Voiced: ♭3 1 5 6

Shell voicings

Three notes: the root in the bass with the 3rd and 7th, the notes that name the chord. The voices move 88 semitones through the form; the largest single step is 7. Practice Blue Bossa in shell voicings

Top line: 1–8E♭ – E♭ – E♭ – E♭ – F – F – E♭ – E♭9–16D♭ – C – C – C – C – B – B♭ – E♭

34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 3, 11String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 4, b3b3
Cm7 (bar 1)
Grip x-3-x-3-4-x · frets 3–4
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 3, 11String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 4, b3b3
Cm7 (bar 2)
Grip x-3-x-3-4-x · frets 3–4
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 11String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 3, fret 8, b7b7
Fm7 (bar 3)
Grip x-8-6-8-x-x · frets 6–8
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678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 11String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 3, fret 8, b7b7
Fm7 (bar 3)
Grip x-8-6-8-x-x · frets 6–8

Bars 1–8

678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 11String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 3, fret 8, b7b7
Fm7 (bar 4)
Grip x-8-6-8-x-x · frets 6–8
1011121314E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 10, 11String 5, fret 11, b5b5String 3, fret 10, b3b3
Dm7♭5 (bar 5)
Grip 10-11-x-10-x-x · frets 10–11
910111213E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 10, 11String 4, fret 9, 33String 3, fret 10, b7b7
G7 (bar 6)
Grip x-10-9-10-x-x · frets 9–10
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 8, 11String 4, fret 8, b7b7String 3, fret 8, b3b3
Cm7 (bar 7)
Grip 8-x-8-8-x-x · fret 8
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 3, 11String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 4, b3b3
Cm7 (bar 8)
Grip x-3-x-3-4-x · frets 3–4

Bars 9–16

45678E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, 11String 4, fret 4, b3b3String 3, fret 6, b7b7
E♭m7 (bar 9)
Grip x-6-4-6-x-x · frets 4–6→ D♭ major
45678E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 4, 11String 4, fret 4, b7b7String 3, fret 5, 33
A♭7 (bar 10)
Grip 4-x-4-5-x-x · frets 4–5
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 4, 11String 4, fret 3, 33String 3, fret 5, 77
D♭maj7 (bar 11)
Grip x-4-3-5-x-x · frets 3–5
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 4, 11String 4, fret 3, 33String 3, fret 5, 77
D♭maj7 (bar 12)
Grip x-4-3-5-x-x · frets 3–5
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 5, 11String 4, fret 6, b5b5String 3, fret 5, b7b7
Dm7♭5 (bar 13)
Grip x-5-6-5-x-x · frets 5–6→ C minor
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 6, fret 3, 11String 4, fret 3, b7b7String 3, fret 4, 33
G7 (bar 14)
Grip 3-x-3-4-x-x · frets 3–4
12345E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 3, 11String 4, fret 1, b3b3String 3, fret 3, b7b7
Cm7 (bar 15)
Grip x-3-1-3-x-x · frets 1–3
34567E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 3, 11String 3, fret 3, b7b7String 2, fret 4, b3b3
Cm7 (bar 16)
Grip x-3-x-3-4-x · frets 3–4

Rootless voicings

Four notes without the root, with a 9th or 13th in its place: the bass player plays the root. The voices move 64 semitones through the form; the largest single step is 6. Practice Blue Bossa in rootless voicings

Top line: 1–8A – B♭ – B♭ – B♭ – C – B – A – B♭9–16B♭ – B♭ – A♭ – A♭ – C – B – B♭ – A

56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 5, 66
Cm6/9 (bar 1)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-5 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 6
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 6, b7b7
Cm9 (bar 2)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-6 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 ♭7
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b7b7String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 2, fret 8, 99String 1, fret 6, 1111
Fm11 (bar 3)
Grip x-6-6-x-8-6 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭7 ♭3 9 11
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678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b7b7String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 2, fret 8, 99String 1, fret 6, 1111
Fm11 (bar 3)
Grip x-6-6-x-8-6 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭7 ♭3 9 11

Bars 1–8

678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b7b7String 4, fret 6, b3b3String 2, fret 8, 99String 1, fret 6, 1111
Fm11 (bar 4)
Grip x-6-6-x-8-6 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭7 ♭3 9 11
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b3b3String 4, fret 6, b5b5String 2, fret 8, 1111String 1, fret 8, b7b7
Dm7♭5(11) (bar 5)
Grip x-8-6-x-8-8 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭3 ♭5 11 ♭7
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b7b7String 4, fret 6, b9b9String 3, fret 7, 55String 1, fret 7, 33
G7♭9 (bar 6)
Grip x-8-6-7-x-7 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭7 ♭9 5 3
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 5, 66
Cm6/9 (bar 7)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-5 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 6
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 6, b7b7
Cm9 (bar 8)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-6 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 ♭7

Bars 9–16

910111213E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 9, b3b3String 4, fret 11, b7b7String 3, fret 10, 99String 2, fret 11, 55
E♭m9 (bar 9)
Grip x-9-11-10-11-x · frets 9–11Rootless: ♭3 ♭7 9 5→ D♭ major
910111213E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 9, b7b7String 4, fret 10, 33String 3, fret 10, 1313String 2, fret 11, 99
A♭13 (bar 10)
Grip x-9-10-10-11-x · frets 9–11Rootless: ♭7 3 13 9
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 33String 4, fret 10, 77String 3, fret 8, 99String 2, fret 9, 55
D♭maj9 (bar 11)
Grip x-8-10-8-9-x · frets 8–10Rootless: 3 7 9 5
89101112E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, 33String 4, fret 8, 66String 3, fret 8, 99String 2, fret 9, 55
D♭6/9 (bar 12)
Grip x-8-8-8-9-x · frets 8–9Rootless: 3 6 9 5
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b3b3String 4, fret 6, b5b5String 2, fret 8, 1111String 1, fret 8, b7b7
Dm7♭5(11) (bar 13)
Grip x-8-6-x-8-8 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭3 ♭5 11 ♭7→ C minor
678910E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 8, b7b7String 4, fret 6, b9b9String 3, fret 7, 55String 1, fret 7, 33
G7♭9 (bar 14)
Grip x-8-6-7-x-7 · frets 6–8Rootless: ♭7 ♭9 5 3
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 6, b7b7
Cm9 (bar 15)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-6 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 ♭7
56789E4B3G3D3A2E2String 5, fret 6, b3b3String 4, fret 5, 55String 3, fret 7, 99String 1, fret 5, 66
Cm6/9 (bar 16)
Grip x-6-5-7-x-5 · frets 5–7Rootless: ♭3 5 9 6

The ii–V–Is inside it

Each ii–V–I in the tune on its own, in every voicing, with the tritone substitute.

Its chords

Practice it in Practice Lab

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