The 7th Chords
A 7 chord, also known as a dominant 7 chord, is a type of chord that consists of a root note, a major third interval, a perfect fifth interval, and a minor seventh interval. The 7 chord is widely used in various genres of music, including jazz, blues, rock, and pop. There are different types of 7 chords based on the intervals and alterations they include. Here are some common types:
- Dominant 7 (C7): This is the basic 7 chord and is formed by combining the root note (C), the major third (E), the perfect fifth (G), and the minor seventh (Bb). It is denoted by the letter name of the root followed by the number 7 (e.g., C7).
- Major 7 (Cmaj7): This chord has a major seventh instead of a minor seventh. It is formed by combining the root note (C), the major third (E), the perfect fifth (G), and the major seventh (B). It has a brighter and more “jazzy” sound compared to the dominant 7 chord.
- Minor 7 (Cm7): This chord has a minor third and a minor seventh. It is formed by combining the root note (C), the minor third (Eb), the perfect fifth (G), and the minor seventh (Bb). It is commonly used in jazz, blues, and funk.
- Half-diminished 7 (Cø7): Also known as minor 7 flat 5 or C minor 7th flat 5, this chord has a diminished fifth. It is formed by combining the root note (C), the minor third (Eb), the diminished fifth (Gb), and the minor seventh (Bb). It is often used in jazz and adds tension to chord progressions.
- Diminished 7 (Cdim7): This chord consists of a diminished triad with an added diminished seventh. It is formed by combining the root note (C), the minor third (Eb), the diminished fifth (Gb), and the diminished seventh (Bbb/A). It has a dissonant and unstable sound and is commonly used as a passing chord or for creating tension.
These are some of the common types of 7 chords. However, it’s worth noting that there are also extended 7 chords, altered 7 chords, and various other chord modifications that musicians use to create different harmonic colors and expressiveness in their compositions.