Seventh Chords
  • A seventh chord is the combination of a triad and an interval of a seventh.
  • Five types of seventh chords are commonly used.
  • A major triad and a minor seventh combine to form a dominant seventh chord.
  • Dominant seventh chords are abbreviated with a simple 7.
  • Let's examine a C dominant seventh chord.
  • C–E–G is the major triad.
  • C–Bb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form a C dominant seventh chord: C–E–G–Bb.
  • Next, let's examine an F# dominant seventh chord.
  • F#–A#–C# is the major triad.
  • F#–E is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an F# dominant seventh chord: F#–A#–C#–E.
  • Next, let's examine an Ab dominant seventh chord.
  • Ab–C–Eb is the major triad.
  • Ab–Gb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an Ab dominant seventh chord: Ab–C–Eb–Gb.
  • A major triad and a major seventh combine to form a major seventh chord.
  • Major seventh chords are abbreviated with a capital 'M' and a 7.
  • Let's examine a C major seventh chord.
  • C–E–G is the major triad.
  • C–B is the major seventh.
  • When combined, they form a C major seventh chord: C–E–G–B.
  • Next, let's examine an F# major seventh chord.
  • F#–A#–C# is the major triad.
  • F#–E# is the major seventh.
  • When combined, they form an F# major seventh chord: F#–A#–C#–E#.
  • Next, let's examine an Ab major seventh chord.
  • Ab–C–Eb is the major triad.
  • Ab–G is the major seventh.
  • When combined, they form an Ab major seventh chord: Ab–C–Eb–G.
  • A minor triad and a minor seventh combine to form a minor seventh chord (m7).
  • Minor seventh chords are abbreviated with a lower-case 'm' and a 7.
  • Let's examine a C minor seventh chord.
  • C–Eb–G is the minor triad.
  • C–Bb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form a C minor seventh chord: C–Eb–G–Bb.
  • Next, let's examine an F# minor seventh chord.
  • F#–A–C# is the minor triad.
  • F#–E is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an F# minor seventh chord: F#–A–C#–E.
  • Next, let's examine an Ab minor seventh chord.
  • Ab–Cb–Eb is the minor triad.
  • Ab–Gb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an Ab minor seventh chord: Ab–Cb–Eb–Gb.
  • A diminished triad and a minor seventh combine to form a half-diminished seventh chord.
  • Half-diminished seventh chords are abbreviated with a slashed circle and a 7.
  • Let's examine a C half-diminished seventh chord.
  • C–Eb–Gb is the diminished triad.
  • C–Bb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form a C half-diminished seventh chord: C–Eb–Gb–Bb.
  • Next, let's examine an F# half-diminished seventh chord.
  • F#–A–C is the diminished triad.
  • F#–E is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an F# half-diminished seventh chord: F#–A–C–E.
  • Next, let's examine an Ab half-diminished seventh chord.
  • Ab–Cb–Ebb is the diminished triad.
  • Ab–Gb is the minor seventh.
  • When combined, they form an Ab half-diminished seventh chord: Ab–Cb–Ebb–Gb.
  • Finally, a diminished triad and a diminished seventh combine to form a diminished seventh chord (or fully-diminished seventh chord).
  • Diminished seventh chords are abbreviated with an open circle and a 7.
  • Let's examine a C diminished seventh chord.
  • C–Eb–Gb is the diminished triad.
  • C–Bbb is the diminished seventh.
  • When combined, they form a C diminished seventh chord: C–Eb–Gb–Bbb.
  • Next, let's examine an F# diminished seventh chord.
  • F#–A–C is the diminished triad.
  • F#–Eb is the diminished seventh.
  • When combined, they form an F# diminished seventh chord: F#–A–C–Eb.
  • Next, let's examine an Ab diminished seventh chord.
  • Ab–Cb–Ebb is the diminished triad.
  • Ab–Gbb is the diminished seventh.
  • When combined, they form an Ab diminished seventh chord: Ab–Cb–Ebb–Gbb.
  • Use this chart to reference the five common types of seventh chords.
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