7

Definition

In music, the term '7' often refers to the seventh chord, which is a four-note chord formed by stacking thirds on top of a root note. This type of chord adds complexity and richness to music, making it more expressive and harmonically interesting. The seventh can be major, minor, or diminished, affecting the overall sound and function of the chord within a progression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A seventh chord typically includes the root, third, fifth, and seventh degrees of the scale, creating a more dissonant sound than a triad.
2. There are several types of seventh chords, including major seventh, minor seventh, dominant seventh, and diminished seventh, each with unique tonal characteristics.
3. The dominant seventh chord is particularly important in Western music as it resolves naturally to the tonic chord, creating a strong sense of resolution.
4. In figured bass notation, '7' indicates that the chord should include a seventh above the bass note, providing essential information for performers.
5. Seventh chords are commonly used in various genres of music, including jazz, blues, and classical, enhancing harmonic richness and facilitating modulation.

Review Questions

• How do seventh chords differ from triads in terms of their structure and harmonic function?
  • Seventh chords differ from triads by including an additional note—the seventh—on top of the triadic structure of root, third, and fifth. This extra note adds complexity and tension to the harmony. While triads provide a stable foundation for harmony, seventh chords create a sense of movement and expectation, often leading to resolutions within progressions. This makes them essential for adding depth and interest in musical compositions.
• Discuss the significance of the dominant seventh chord in relation to resolution within a chord progression.
  • The dominant seventh chord plays a critical role in music because it creates tension that seeks resolution to the tonic chord. The specific intervals within the dominant seventh (the tritone between the third and seventh) generate dissonance that compels resolution. When this chord resolves to the tonic, it establishes a sense of closure and completion in the progression. This relationship is foundational in Western tonal music and contributes to its structural coherence.
• Evaluate how figured bass notation enhances performance practices involving seventh chords in ensemble settings.
  • Figured bass notation significantly enhances performance practices by providing musicians with essential information regarding harmonies and inversions to play in real-time. When '7' is indicated in figured bass, it instructs performers to include the seventh degree along with the root position notes. This collaborative approach allows ensembles to interpret and realize complex harmonic structures while maintaining flexibility in performance. The use of figured bass also encourages improvisation within agreed harmonic frameworks, enriching musical expression.

Related terms

Triad: A triad is a three-note chord formed by stacking two thirds on top of a root note, serving as the foundation for many harmonic progressions.

Chord Progression: A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in succession, which creates the harmonic framework for a piece of music.

Diatonic: Diatonic refers to notes or chords that belong to a specific key or scale, typically following the natural structure of that scale.