Chords form the core of music. They may be consonant and suggest restfulness or dissonant and indicate resolution to and from other chords.
So let’s begin by starting off simple – and perfect for beginners – power chord progression with just G major triad and fifth fret of A string combined for instant classic.
Major7
Major7 chords can be an invaluable addition to your jazz guitar chord library, as they allow for creating unique sounds while being used with various melodies and also as replacements for other chord shapes.
Just like triads, seventh chords can also be constructed using notes stacked tightly. When seen this way, a seventh chord stacked this way resembles an image of a snowperson: bottom, two middles and head!
Seventh chords constructed on me and le feature a major triad and major seventh; those constructed using sol and re have half-diminished triads with minor sevenths. To change the quality of a seventh chord, simply lower its root note by half step – this gives rise to major, minor or fully diminished seventh chord qualities – the process is the same across them all, so it would be prudent to familiarize yourself with them all as quickly as possible.
Minor7
Minor seventh chords (m7, m7 or m7) are one of the most frequently used jazz chords and possess a deep and melancholic sound that often makes people feel sad or melancholy.
Minor seventh chords, like their major 7th counterparts, can be found in any key. Like their major counterparts, minor sevenths draw their roots from the dominant triad in that key; the only difference being that minor sevenths feature a flat 7th note that creates tension and makes it feel unstable.
Minor seventh is an easy and accessible barre chord shape to play, requiring only your first finger and playing any string on your guitar. To create this chord shape, simply lower both A and C of your major seventh chord by one half step to form an m7 chord – this exercise provides great practice shifting shapes for various chord types while expanding your chord vocabulary.
Dominant7
Dominant seventh chords can often be harsh and dissonant, which gives them their power in music. Common in blues, rock and funk pieces as well as classical compositions.
A dominant seventh chord can be created from any major triad by adding a minor seventh interval above its root note – for instance, C dominant seven chord features C-E-G-B notes as part of its structure. If the fifth note in that chord is flattened (lowered by half-step) this gives rise to what’s known as diminished seventh.
An altered dominant seventh may be raised or lowered to create various effects, often written using pluses and minuses (or, alternatively, written with all accidentals together, such as C7#5) for easy reading.
Experiment with playing some dominant seventh chords in various keys to see how their sound changes as you shift keys. Chords such as these can help convey emotion on your guitar!
Dim7
jazz guitarists need an excellent understanding of diminished seventh chords to excel as jazz musicians. These chords can convey emotions ranging from soothing and reflective to dark and dramatic, making them powerful tools for modulation.
Created from a minor triad with a major seventh interval, these chords are known for their dreamy yet sophisticated sound. You’ll find them across genres ranging from bossa nova and jazz to ballads and rock music.
Tension and intrigue are added to a progression with these chords. When used before dominant chords or minor seventh chords, tension is created before returning back to its original chord.
The name “diminished seventh chord” derives from its distinctive double flatted 7th note. Instead of writing out this note in full, dim7 or Co7 are usually abbreviations used instead. Sometimes also called the half-diminished seventh chord.