A seventh chord brings depth and texture to any song. From its warm, comforting charm of a major seventh to the edge of tension found in minor seventh, these chords can add flavor and spice up any progression.
A seventh chord can be defined as any chord consisting of three notes plus the interval that adds 7ths above their root note. There are four types of seventh chords; each one having its own personality.
Dominant 7th
Dominant 7th chords have an uncomfortable, dissonant, and harsh sound that’s characteristic of blues and rock music – a technique often employed to build tension that needs to be resolved.
A dominant 7th chord consists of four notes: its root, third, and fifth notes along with a flattened seventh note from a scale; this seventh note sits half-step lower than its full counterpart on its scale.
Leading tones in dominant chords serve to direct listeners toward the tonic note (C). It is this tension which makes dominant seventh chords so attractive.
Elvis’ hit “Heartbreak Hotel,” for instance, makes use of A7, B7 and E7 dominant seventh chords to give its iconic sound; you just want to swagger along! These chords work beautifully across genres of music and pair nicely with various types of 7ths as well.
Minor 7th
Minor 7th is one of the more frequently encountered minor-type seventh chords, composed simply of adding a minor 7th interval to an existing minor triad consisting of root, lowered 3rd, and perfect 5th (see intervals).
Reduced triads with minor 7ths create a tense and somewhat dark sound; this technique has long been utilized by jazz composers like Stevie Wonder in his songs “All The Things You Are and Ain’t No Sunshine”, for example.
As with other seventh chord shapes, this one can be moved up and down the fretboard easily and works in any key. Simply shift your root note of triad to its appropriate spot on neck while leaving other notes unchanged; use accidentals from key signature to alter any qualities on other three notes if needed.
Minor 7 Flat 5
The minor 7 flat 5 chord can be difficult to play and is best utilized further up the neck. In essence, it resembles a major triad with its seventh scale step (B) flattened by one half step.
These chords are often associated with jazz music and add an elegant and refined quality to a progression. Additionally, they work great in ballads, funk and R&B genres.
Diminished chords are another popular variety of seventh chord, constructed from a minor triad with both third and fifth notes flattened by one half step. These harmonic progressions can often be found in jazz music and create an air of tension or intrigue.
This jazz classic serves as an outstanding demonstration of how seventh chords can elevate funk music. The piece includes a range of chords – including some dominant 7th chords – while Ella Fitzgerald’s vocal runs provide additional support in creating a melancholic and reflective atmosphere.
Perfect 7th
Once you understand basic major and minor chords, seventh chords provide an exciting next step for adding depth and emotion to your progressions. They’re effectively triads with an additional seventh interval above their root note that can change its character entirely; giving each chord its own distinct identity.
C Major Seventh Chord
To create a major seventh chord, you should employ similar fingerings as in a triad, adding an extra finger on the top string. An image that may help is to imagine drawing an extra-long snowperson on the staff; its roots represent D while its notes F, A and C add texture and quality to its sound.