A shell voicing keeps only the root, the 3rd and the 7th: the notes that say what a chord is. Leave the 5th out and the chord is lighter, easier to move, and leaves room for a bass player and a singer.
Two shapes cover everything: root on the 6th string, and root on the 5th string. That's how jazz and soul players comp.
Gmaj7
G7
Cmaj7
Dm7
Try this
Play Dm7 G7 Cmaj7, the ii–V–I in C, with shells, moving as little as you can.
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