JBF_Jazz_Chord Shells

Question 1

Alternating Shells from chord to chord.

Answer 1

When using Bud Powell voicings in a cycle of 5th progression, the R7 and R3 shells should alternate from chord-to-chord. This results in smooth voicing leading in the tenor register as in the following example.

Question 2

Sheel using R10

Answer 2

Another common Bud Powell shell is R10 (Root + 10th). This, of course, is a variation of R3 since a 10th is a compound interval of a 3rd plus an octave. However, many pianists are unable to reach this interval, or can only able to reach particular 10ths, such as intervals from white-key to white-key as in measure 4 below. Sometimes, you can add the 10th in right hand to achieve this sound.