Seventh chords are four note chords that add an extra depth of harmony, making an appearance in styles as diverse as Jazz, R & B and Blues music.
All seventh chords can be constructed from any basic triad by adding an additional seventh interval – this makes them highly flexible to build from any major triad.
Major
Major seventh chords are four note chords combining a triad with an interval of a seventh above its root note, used in music to convey emotions and add color. They’re widely employed to add variation and texture to a progression.
Acoustic piano solos can add an intimate, romantic quality to jazz and bossa nova music, while you may also encounter them in rock and blues music.
A major seventh chord is an open, symmetrical chord in which all notes lie on one line; it’s one of the most frequently occurring seventh chords and can evoke feelings of warmth, soulfulness, tension or other strong emotions – you can hear examples like Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy to hear its clear and stable sound.
Minor
When it comes to minor seventh chords, we must imagine the root and then add minor thirds and diminished fifths on top of it, creating a diminished seventh chord which can either be half-diminished or fully diminished. These chords tend to sound darker and melancholic than major ones which tend to sound brighter and happier.
To determine the quality of a seventh chord, draw its root on a staff and write down any accidentals from its key signature that apply. Next, imagine any notes as generic thirds, fifths and sevenths above its root to identify its qualities – this will give an accurate representation of its quality; chords are commonly named according to both their triad (Cmaj7 for C major triad plus minor seventh) and seventh qualities for clarity purposes (e.g. Cmaj7 represents both).
Dominant
When the emotion required of you goes beyond the scope of a traditional major or minor triad, dominant 7th chords may come to the rescue. They’re created when stacking 3rds above a root note until a dominant 7th chord appears – and can often provide greater drama than standard major or minor triads.
Dominant sevenths create tension because their third is half step below their fifth note, producing a tritone effect. They typically resolve into tonic chords but they can also be used in other types of progressions.
As an easy way to understand these chords, one easy shortcut is to visualize them as major triads with a minor third added on top. A common example would be C7 chord. Rockers such as Blue Oyster Cult and The Doors have used dominant 7th chords extensively in their work and frequently incorporate dominant 7th chords.
Augmented
Augmented chords resemble dominant sevenths but differ by having their fifth sharpened for an explosive and anticipatory sound. Augmented chords are frequently found in rock music and can create tension or anxiety by heightening anticipation or tension.
Triad pairs can also be an effective way of creating harmonic progressions; for instance, pairing an augmented triad C-E-G# with C diminished can produce an interesting harmonic progression.
Though less common than major and minor chords, augmented chords can add much-needed texture and interest to a composition. When employing them sparingly and strategically, take care to consider both their use as well as the genre or context of your music; this will ensure they fit seamlessly.
Diminished
The diminished chord has an elegant sound that adds drama and emotion to songwriting. The tension-inducing minor third intervals create an engaging emotional atmosphere for your listeners to feel connected to.
Diminished sevenths can be found throughout pop, R&B, blues and film music as well as romantic ballads such as Claude Debussy’s “Au Claire De Lune.”
Most chord progressions use dominant sevenths as their foundation, but diminished chords can also be effective tools in creating progressions. By adding one before a dominant, an added diminished chord will add weight and heighten its impact; additionally it acts as a connector between various parts of a piece, keeping momentum alive.