Seventh chords add an additional level of nuance to harmonic progressions compared to triads, providing a great opportunity to develop more advanced piano techniques.
Music notation describes seventh chords by their root, quality of triad, and quality of seventh. These chords can also be known as figured bass chords.
Major Seventh
Major seventh chords are another popular chord category found in pop music. Their positive sound often returns them back to their tonic chord (I) when played.
To form a major seventh chord, simply trace its root on the staff before building its major triad and major seventh above it. Feel free to add any accidentals from the key signature as needed.
As you explore different characteristics of seventh chords, it can be useful to study their notes stacked in close spacing. Furthermore, using an interval table, it is possible to determine how many half-tones or semitones separate its root from its third, fifth and seventh notes; this can help identify what each seventh chord’s name means; for example: Dm7 contains both major triad notes as well as minor seventh notes and thus is commonly known as a dominant seventh chord.
Minor Seventh
Just like triads, seventh chords can be identified based on their quality and inversion (this topic will be addressed further in the Inversion and Figured Bass chapter). To identify its quality on a staff, draw its root. Consider its major key signature and write any accidentals applicable. Lastly, draw an extra-long snowperson representing notes a third, fifth, and seventh above its root.
The flavor of a seventh chord defines its quality: those constructed on sol and fa with raised leading tones contain minor triads with minor sevenths while those formed using mi and la with flattened leading tones contain diminished triads with half-diminished sevenths.
Each of these five seventh chord types offers its own nuances, so use this piano chord chart to learn to identify these chords’ various qualities and master all five types – minor, major, dominant, half-diminished and fully diminished – in any key.
Dominant Seventh
Dominant seventh chords can be found in many genres of music, ranging from modern pop to the romantic ballads of Claude Debussy. These strong, unstable chords usually resolve into tonic triads at the conclusion of musical sections.
These chords are formed by adding a major seventh chord to the root of a major triad, giving rise to what are commonly known as maj7 chords.
Formula for this chord type: 1-3-5-7. The distinctive sound of dominant sevenths comes from their dissonant relationship between third and seventh strings; thus it’s important to practice playing them naturally and effortlessly.
One way of doing this is with drop 3 voicing, which lowers the third note by an octave. Below are four different drop 3 voicings for dominant seventh chords; all have slightly different characteristics but follow the same basic structure.
Half-Diminished Seventh
The seventh chord has the same four notes as a triad, but with an additional note added on top. Adding this seventh interval can change the sound of the chord significantly – creating either dissonant or stable soundscapes.
This chord can add tension and instability to your music, with its distinct sonic properties making it feel interesting and different than other chords.
Half diminished seventh chords are slightly more challenging to build and are most commonly employed as connecting chords between triads. Unfortunately, half diminished seventh chords tend to sound dissonant and unstable due to having their perfect fifth interval flattened by one semitone; making the sound discordant and unstable when held for an extended period.