7 Kinds of Sevenths That Add Character to Songs

7th-chordsSeventh Chords are used to to create hip sounds with the music. The four chords  discussed  at Music Theory Chords can all have a 7th interval added to create a new sound.

There are 7 kinds of sevenths when you can create by adding major and minor 3rds. 

Why only seven and not eight? It seems like Karma to have seven kinds of sevens.

Types of Seventh Chords

Going back to the original chords we have the option of adding the scale interval of minor 7 and major 7 to the chords. However, For the augmented chord only a major 7 can be added, that is because a minor 3rd added to the chord is the major 7.

Major Chord Sevenths

There are two major chord sevenths each called a specific name. The dominant seventh (C7 for C dominant 7) and the major seventh (CM7 for C major 7). Notice how the notes will still be on either all lines or all spaces on the staff.

seventh-c-dom7-treble clefThe Major Chord Dominant Seventh is the addition of the minor 3rd to the chord, that is a minor 7th (b7). Here is how this chord is mathematically.

 Major Chord Dominant 7th ; C7
 
   Intervals:   1   3   5   b7
   Half Steps: S + 4 + 3 + 3
  Notes for C7:  C   E   G   Bb 

 

seventh chord c maj7 treble

The Major Chord Major Seventh chords uses 4 half steps to add the major seventh (M7).

 

Major Chord : Major 7th ; CM7
   
Intervals:     1   3   5   7
  Half Steps:   S + 4 + 3 + 4 
Notes for CM7: C   E   G   B

 This method of half steps is how you build all the seventh chords. The other five seventh chords are:

Minor Dominant Seventh

Minor Major Seventh

Diminished Dominant Seventh

Half Diminished Seventh

Augmented Seventh

Learn how to construct these sevenths with

The Secrets of Seventh Chords Lesson

cover-sevenths_t250Mastering Sevenths is about learning how they are constructed and then doing it for every chord in every key.

If you want to jazz up your compositions or your playing….

Then learning the ins and outs of seventh chords is a must and you should consider our Seventh Chords Workbook.

 


Learning Resources

Creating Chords

cover-creatingchordsBefore you buy another music learning book you’d better read this!

Every wondered why musicians can work with songs so quickly? It’s all about the chords and the scales.

Learning to create, recognize and work with chords and scales is essential in mastering music.

It can be intimidating for the beginning student.

Don’t let them get the best of you. These Getting It Down Cold Workshops easily lead you through the process step by step.

And in a fraction of the time that most students take to learn this vital part of music.

Learn More Here… Chords Workshop

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