From maj7 to dim7 one note at a time

How to do it

1. Play the C maj7 shape (C-E-G-B) on the A-D-G-B string set, following the TAB.
2. Lower the 7th one fret (B→B♭) for C7. Lower the 3rd (E→E♭) for Cm7. Lower the 5th (G→G♭) for Cm7♭5. Lower the 7th again (B♭→A) for C dim7.
3. Play the whole series slowly, hearing how each chord gets darker than the one before.

Variations

• Do the same journey in reverse (dim7 → maj7), raising one note each time.
• Transpose the whole series to another root by moving the shape along the neck.

Tips

• The 3rd and the 7th are the "colour tones": they are the ones that change and that really define the chord quality.