Minor + dominant 7 on the 5th-string root — same principle, new layout

Good news today — there's no new principle to learn. We reuse last week's two switches on the 5th-string root. Only one thing is new to memorize: the new "address" of which string you switch on.

• Minor switch = 2nd string. Lower the 3rd (2nd string, fret 5, E) a half step to b3 (fret 4, E♭). → Cm
• Dominant-7 switch = 3rd string. Lower the octave root (3rd string, fret 5, C) two frets to b7 (fret 3, B♭). → C7

In the 6th-string form the 3rd was on the 3rd string and the 7th on the 4th. In the 5th-string form (A-form), the 3rd simply moved to the 2nd string and the 7th to the 3rd string. When the root changes, the switches' home addresses change too — feeling that in your hands is all today asks. The principle (lower the 3rd for minor, add the b7 for 7) is 100% identical to last week, so you just get comfortable with the new spots. Once it's in your hands, 6th-string or 5th-string, you're free either way.

First, C minor (A-form) — only the 2nd-string 3rd dropped from fret 5 to 4 (green = b3).

Now C7 (A-form) — the 3rd-string octave root dropped from fret 5 to 3 to get the b7 (green = b7).

Example 1 — the 3 → b3 minor-switch line (2nd string). Fret 5 (3) next to fret 4 (b3) on the 2nd string.

▶ BPM 72. "Root → 3rd → minor 3rd → root." One fret on the 2nd string turns bright into sad. Repeat 4×.

Example 2 — Major → 7 switch comp (3rd string). Bar 1 C, bar 2 C7. Strum the whole chord, but only the 3rd string (fret 5→3) moves.

▶ BPM 78, repeat 4×. Bar 1 stable C → bar 2 itchy C7. Only the 3rd-string finger moves from fret 5 to 3.

0–10 min · Warm-up Alternate C → Cm (2nd string 5↔4) and C → C7 (3rd string 5↔3), four beats each. Keep the 6th string muted.

10–20 min · Brain training (today's target = 2nd-string b3 · 3rd-string b7) Use Examples 1 & 2 to fix the two switch spots. "Minor is the 2nd string, 7 is the 3rd string." You pass when you can fret each with eyes closed.

20–40 min · Real comping (Example 2 / 75–85 BPM) Repeat Example 2 at BPM 78 4× (C↔C7). Then add the Cm switch (Example 1) over a backing track and move freely between C↔Cm↔C7. Move the root along the 5th string for other keys too.

40–50 min · Record & reflect (recommended) Record 30 seconds of C↔Cm↔C7. Check: does a string die at the switch, and does the 6th leak?

Done when: over the 5th-string root, you can switch minor on the 2nd string and 7 on the 3rd string with eyes closed.

• Using the 6th-string form's switch spots. On the 5th string, the 3rd is the 2nd string and the 7th is the 3rd string. New root string, new map.
• Touching the 3rd while fretting b7. C7 lowers only the 3rd string. Leave the 2nd-string 3rd alone.
• The b3 won't ring. If the 2nd string's fret 4 dies, a neighbor is leaning on it. Stand the fingertip up.
• A-form fatigue. If your fingers ache, just get four strings (5·4·3·2) solid. Don't overdo it.