So I’ve lately starting adding 6th, dominant 9 and major 9th to my (jazz emulating) progressions with roots on the E and A strings
For personal aesthetic reasons I really dislike most voicings with the root on my low E string. I really prefer brighter voicings, So what i often do, is that I omit the root, but then it changes the nature of my progressions quite a lot since i don’t have a bass playor around at home. Anyone else feels this way?
What would your advice be: push trough it and perfect my e root voicings or… should i rather move on to D root voicings and find that clear and bright sound?
note: I’m learning on a spanish classical guitar so…
Can ya play the root somewhere else, on a different string?
Yes, this will change how the chord sounds as best I understand, the root is usually the lowest note. It’s the defining note of a chord. It’s the root. I think it’s generally a required note. But playing it somewhere else other than the low note, sometimes I think it can be a alternative? At least it’s being played.
That said.
I got some songs I play that I have trouble playing the root on the low stings too. Like fretting the low E string with my pinky, which I find hard to do.
Myself, I keep playing them chords like they’re supposed to be played. Yeah, they sound poorly since I have trouble doing them. But the longer I keep trying, the better I’m getting at playing them. This may be true for you too?
Perhaps start with some D root voicings as you say, to reorientate your ear/ fretboard GPS.
From there, some great voicings with roots on the GBe strings for that brighter sound. Shell voicings will add even more…
Re omitting the root ‘changing the nature of the progression’. Your internal ear, plus voice leading would likely be playing a part here. You’ll find it’ll refine over time.
Do you have a looper pedal and a guitar that can connect to it? Perhaps you can record a bass line loop of the root or root-octave or something, and then work on the chords sans root?
Caveat- I’ve only tried this for blues progressions and 9th chords. Jazzy chords are further down the road…
Are you playing solo or along with some music / backing?
If you play without the low root, can you still hear the movement of the harmony and not notice the missing root?
Have you explored Justin’s jazz lessons including this: https://www.justinguitar.com/modules/jazz-chord-extensions-alterations
As suggested by others, you don’t necessarily need the root note. Playing partial, rootless chords is not uncommon, especially if there’s a bass player or other instruments playing the root. It’s quite common in jazz.
If you are playing solo, it’s a little trickier, although sometimes the bass note can be inferred by the progression.
This may be true for you too?