Have you heard seventh chords before in music? These chords are created by adding the 7th interval above a major triad.
Changes to interval quality can drastically transform a chord’s character; from tension-filled and unresolved passages, to smooth jazz. Recognizing different types of seventh chord guitar can help you become familiar with its variations.
Major
Jazz guitarists generally steer away from major seventh chords in favor of brighter 9th and 13th intervals for their music, however these chord shapes remain used frequently in rock music to add a beefier tone; for instance, The Rolling Stones included one into “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and Blue Oyster Cult’s greatest hit has more cowbell than you can shake your guitar pick at!
To form a major seventh chord, begin with a major triad and add an interval of major 7th above it. The chord’s notes will depend on your choice of root note.
If you want to master seven-note chords, start by memorizing their shapes and practicing with favorite songs. With practice comes proficiency; experiment with drop 3 voicings by moving the third highest note an octave lower than it would normally be in close position – creating two new voicings!
Minor
Addition of a seventh interval transforms a major triad into a minor seventh chord; when no interval is specified (such as Cmaj7) it will assume a major seventh (e.g. Cmaj7); any notes prefixed with # or b indicate sharpening or flattening by semitones respectively.
Seventh chords are essential tools for any aspiring guitarist and are integral parts of many genres of music. Being able to play all five chord qualities–maj7, min7, dom7 and m7b5–opens up new possibilities in your playing and allows you to compose more complex songs. As a beginner it may take some time to grasp these chord shapes but once learned you will discover new opportunities! Practice will also help develop both your ear and improvisational skills!
Dominant
Dominant seventh chords are great ways to create tension. Created by adding a flattened seventh note to a diminished triad, these chords consist of the root note (C), third note (Eb), fifth note (Gb), seventh note and the eighth note of any scale (for instance a C dominant 7 would contain C, Eb, Gb and Bbb).
One way of playing a dominant seventh chord is barring its first three strings with your thumb and fingers. Another approach involves using a barre chord with only four fingers on one string, leaving all other strings open – this latter approach may be better suited for bass walks.
Drop 3 voicings of dominant seventh chords can be created by dropping the highest note in a closed position voicing by an octave. In these diagrams are four examples of drop 3 dominant seventh chords; black dots represent root voicing while blue and green represent 1st and 3rd inversions, respectively.
Suspended
Suspended chords can add tension to your music by using a triad with an added diminished seventh (9 semitones above the root). The resultant chord sounds both minor and major simultaneously.
Due to their ability to remove the third, or the note which indicates whether a chord is major or minor, suspended chords add an element of harmonic ambiguity that adds tension to your songs. They are most commonly employed within modal songs or progressions that switch chords frequently.
These versatile shapes are easy to finger on the fretboard and can be moved up or down the neck depending on their placement in your songs. Experiment with their use to see what kind of impact they can make!