A 'closed' 4-note chord (1-3-5-7) is often unplayable on guitar — the notes are too close together. 'Drop 2' moves the second-highest note down an octave. 'Drop 3' moves the third-highest down. The result: chord voicings that fit neatly on 4 adjacent strings.

Common Drop 2 sets

• Strings 4-3-2-1 (D-G-B-E): bright, lead-like
• Strings 5-4-3-2 (A-D-G-B): the workhorse middle register
• Strings 6-5-4-3 (E-A-D-G): low, dark, used sparingly

Inversions

Each drop 2 shape has 4 inversions (root, 1st, 2nd, 3rd) as you cycle through positions on the neck. Learn all 4 inversions of one chord type (say, m7) on one string set — you'll always have a smooth voicing nearby.