2.2 Seventh Chords in Major and Minor Keys
3 min read•august 6, 2024
Seventh chords add depth to music by stacking four notes. They come in five types: dominant, major, minor, half-diminished, and fully diminished. Each has a unique sound and structure, building on the basic triads we've learned.
In major and minor keys, seventh chords follow specific patterns. They're built on each scale degree, creating a rich harmonic palette. Understanding these chords helps us grasp how composers create tension and in music.
Seventh Chord Types
Construction and Qualities
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- Seventh chord formed by adding a diatonic seventh above the root of a triad
- Dominant seventh consists of a major triad with a minor seventh above the root (example: in C major)
- Major seventh consists of a major triad with a major seventh above the root (example: )
- Minor seventh consists of a minor triad with a minor seventh above the root (example: )
- Half-diminished seventh consists of a diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root (example: in C major)
- Fully diminished seventh consists of a diminished triad with a diminished seventh above the root (example: )
Intervallic Structures
- Dominant seventh contains the intervals M3, P5, and m7 above the root (example: G7 - G B D F)
- Major seventh contains the intervals M3, P5, and M7 above the root (example: Cmaj7 - C E G B)
- Minor seventh contains the intervals m3, P5, and m7 above the root (example: Dmin7 - D F A C)
- Half-diminished seventh contains the intervals m3, d5, and m7 above the root (example: Bø7 - B D F A)
- Fully diminished seventh contains the intervals m3, d5, and d7 above the root (example: Bdim7 - B D F Ab)
Diatonic Seventh Chords
Seventh Chords in Major Keys
- Diatonic seventh chords are seventh chords built on each degree of the major or minor scale
- In major keys, the diatonic seventh chords are:
- I: Major seventh (example: Cmaj7 in C major)
- ii: Minor seventh (example: Dmin7 in C major)
- iii: Minor seventh (example: Emin7 in C major)
- IV: Major seventh (example: Fmaj7 in C major)
- V: Dominant seventh (example: G7 in C major)
- vi: Minor seventh (example: Amin7 in C major)
- vii°: Half-diminished seventh (example: Bø7 in C major)
Seventh Chords in Minor Keys
- In minor keys, the diatonic seventh chords are:
- i: Minor seventh (example: Cmin7 in C minor)
- ii°: Half-diminished seventh (example: Dø7 in C minor)
- III: Major seventh (example: Ebmaj7 in C minor)
- iv: Minor seventh (example: Fmin7 in C minor)
- V: Dominant seventh (example: G7 in C minor)
- VI: Major seventh (example: Abmaj7 in C minor)
- VII: Dominant seventh (example: Bb7 in C minor)
- Leading tone seventh is the vii° chord in major keys or the ii° chord in minor keys, which contains the leading tone of the scale (example: Bø7 in C major or Dø7 in C minor)
Key Terms to Review (24)
9th chord: A 9th chord is a type of extended chord that consists of a root, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth, creating a more complex and colorful sound than triads or simple seventh chords. This chord can be built on any scale degree and can be found in both major and minor keys, functioning to add tension or richness to harmonic progressions.
Augmented seventh: An augmented seventh is a type of seventh chord that consists of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and an augmented sixth above the root. This chord is characterized by its unique sound that creates tension and resolution, often leading to the dominant chord in a harmonic progression. Its distinct structure makes it valuable in both major and minor keys, providing composers with creative harmonic options.
Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, known for his intricate counterpoint and profound use of harmony. His works showcase a mastery of various musical forms and styles, blending rhythmic complexity with rich harmonic language. Bach's contributions to music also include the development of the sacred and secular genres, which serve as important examples of how rhythm, meter, and harmony function together in composition.
Bdim7: The bdim7 chord, also known as the B half-diminished seventh chord, consists of the root note B, a minor third (D), a diminished fifth (F), and a minor seventh (A). This chord plays a critical role in tonal harmony, often functioning as a leading tone chord in both major and minor keys, which creates tension that typically resolves to a more stable chord.
Bø7: The term bø7 refers to a half-diminished seventh chord, which consists of a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh. This chord is commonly found in both major and minor keys, serving as a vital component of harmonic progressions and often functioning as a predominant or dominant preparation within these tonal frameworks.
Chord Voicing: Chord voicing refers to the arrangement of the notes within a chord. It focuses on how the notes are distributed across different octaves and which notes are emphasized or omitted, affecting the overall sound and texture. Voicing is crucial in both major and minor keys, especially when dealing with seventh chords, as it can drastically change the harmonic character and function of the chords in a progression.
Cmaj7: Cmaj7 is a seventh chord built on the root note C, consisting of the notes C, E, G, and B. This chord is characterized by its major triad and a major seventh, giving it a bright and rich sound. It plays a crucial role in both major and minor tonalities, providing color and tension in harmonic progressions.
Dissonance: Dissonance refers to a combination of tones that creates a sense of tension or instability, often leading to a desire for resolution. It plays a crucial role in tonal music by adding complexity and emotional depth to harmony, which can be especially relevant in chord structures, melodic progressions, and the overall musical narrative.
Dmin7: The dmin7 chord, or D minor seventh chord, is a four-note chord that consists of the root (D), minor third (F), perfect fifth (A), and minor seventh (C) intervals. This chord is essential in both major and minor tonalities, serving as a pivotal harmonic element that adds depth and richness to compositions.
Dominant function: The dominant function refers to the musical role of the dominant chord, typically the V chord, which creates tension that seeks resolution to the tonic. This function is crucial in establishing tonal centers and guiding harmonic progressions, often utilizing seventh chords to enhance this tension. The dominant function plays a significant role in various harmonic techniques, including modulation and voice leading.
Dominant Seventh Chord: A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord formed by combining a major triad with a minor seventh. It is built on the fifth degree of the scale and plays a crucial role in tonal music, particularly in establishing tension that resolves to the tonic. This chord is essential for creating harmonic movement and is commonly used to lead to resolution in both major and minor keys.
Fully diminished seventh chord: A fully diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord made up of a root, a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a diminished seventh. This chord is characterized by its symmetrical structure, with each interval being a minor third apart. Fully diminished seventh chords create a tense and unstable sound, often used to resolve to more stable chords in both major and minor keys.
G7: The g7 chord, or G dominant seventh chord, is a four-note chord built from the root note G, the major third B, the perfect fifth D, and the minor seventh F. This chord plays a crucial role in both major and minor keys as it creates tension that resolves to the tonic, making it a foundational element in tonal harmony.
Half-Diminished Seventh Chord: A half-diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a root, a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh. This chord is often represented by the symbol 'ø7' and has a distinct sound that can create tension and resolution in harmonic progressions. Its unique structure sets it apart from other seventh chords and allows it to play a vital role in both major and minor tonal contexts.
I-vi-ii-v progression: The i-vi-ii-v progression is a common chord sequence used in tonal music, particularly in the context of minor keys. This progression involves moving from the tonic chord (i) to the submediant (vi), then to the supertonic (ii), and finally resolving to the dominant (v). This sequence creates a strong sense of movement and can often lead back to the tonic or create tension that resolves effectively within a piece.
Ii-v-i progression: The ii-v-i progression is a common chord sequence in music that moves from the supertonic seventh chord (ii), to the dominant seventh chord (v), and resolves to the tonic chord (i). This progression is a fundamental part of Western tonal music, particularly in jazz and classical styles, providing a sense of movement and resolution that is vital for harmonic structure.
Inversions: Inversions refer to the rearrangement of the notes in a chord, where the lowest note is changed to create different sonorities and harmonic functions. This technique is particularly significant in seventh chords, as it allows for various voice-leading options and enhances the harmonic richness in both major and minor keys. Inversions help create smooth transitions between chords and contribute to the overall texture of musical compositions.
Key Signature: A key signature is a set of sharp or flat symbols placed at the beginning of a musical staff to indicate the key of the piece, defining which notes are to be played as sharp or flat throughout the music. It serves as a crucial reference for understanding the tonal center of a composition and plays a vital role in the organization of scales, harmonies, and modulations.
Major Seventh Chord: A major seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and a major seventh. This chord creates a rich and complex sound that is often used in various musical styles, particularly in jazz and contemporary music. It can be built on any note and follows a specific formula based on the intervals between its notes.
Minor seventh chord: A minor seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a root, a minor third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. This chord has a distinctive sound that conveys a sense of melancholy or tension, making it widely used in various musical genres. Understanding this chord is essential as it forms the basis for many harmonic progressions and is crucial in both major and minor key contexts.
Mode: In music, a mode is a specific type of scale characterized by a unique pattern of whole and half steps, which creates distinct musical flavors or atmospheres. Modes provide a way to organize pitches within an octave and can significantly influence the mood of a piece. Different modes can yield different qualities of harmony and melodic development, which are essential when working with seventh chords in major and minor keys.
Resolution: Resolution refers to the process of a dissonant harmony or note moving to a consonant one, creating a sense of closure and stability in music. This shift from tension to relaxation is essential in harmonic progressions, leading to a satisfying musical experience.
Tonal Harmony: Tonal harmony refers to the system of musical organization based on the relationships between pitches and chords in a tonal context, primarily focusing on the hierarchy and function of chords within a key. This framework governs how chords are built, how they relate to one another, and how they resolve, creating a sense of direction and emotional expression in music. It is essential for understanding the structure of Western music, especially in the context of both major and minor keys.
Tonic function: Tonic function refers to the role of the tonic chord as the home base or center of a key in tonal music. It provides stability and resolution, often serving as the point of arrival after musical movement. The tonic chord, built on the first degree of the scale, creates a sense of rest and completeness, making it essential in establishing the key's identity and providing contrast with other chords, especially dominant and subdominant functions.