Diatonic Seventh Chords
  • In addition to diatonic triads, every major and minor scale has seven diatonic seventh chords.
  • Let's examine the diatonic seventh chords of the C major scale.
  • First, construct the scale.
  • Next, stack three generic thirds on top of each note.
  • Finally, analyze the resulting seventh chords.
  • The first chord is C–E–G–B, a major triad and a major seventh. Therefore, it is a major seventh chord.
  • The second chord is D–F–A–C, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a minor seventh chord.
  • The third chord is E–G–B–D, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is also a minor seventh chord.
  • The fourth chord is F–A–C–E, a major triad and a major seventh. Therefore, it is a major seventh chord.
  • The fifth chord is G–B–D–F, a major triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a dominant seventh chord.
  • The sixth chord is A–C–E–G, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a minor seventh chord.
  • The seventh chord is B–D–F–A, a diminished triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a half-diminished seventh chord.
  • The eighth chord is a repetition of the first (C–E–G–B), making it a major seventh chord.
  • The first seventh chord of a major scale will always be a major seventh, the second and third seventh chords will always be minor sevenths, etc.
  • Next, we will uncover the diatonic seventh chords of the C Natural Minor scale.
  • First, construct the scale.
  • Again, stack three generic thirds.
  • Finally, let's analyze the resulting seventh chords.
  • The first chord is C–Eb–G–Bb, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a minor seventh chord.
  • The second chord is D–F–Ab–C, a diminished triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a half-diminished seventh chord.
  • The third chord is Eb–G–Bb–D, a major triad and a major seventh. Therefore, it is a major seventh chord.
  • The fourth chord is F–Ab–C–Eb, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is minor seventh chord.
  • The fifth chord is G–Bb–D–F, a minor triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is also a minor seventh chord.
  • The sixth chord is Ab–C–Eb–G, a major triad and a major seventh. Therefore, it is a major seventh chord.
  • The seventh chord is Bb–D–F–Ab, a major triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a dominant seventh chord.
  • The eighth chord is a repetition of the first (C–Eb–G–Bb), making it a minor seventh chord.
  • Next, we will discuss the diatonic seventh chords of harmonic minor.
  • To convert natural minor to harmonic minor, the seventh tone is raised a half step. Therefore, each Bb (the seventh tone of C minor) is raised to a B.
  • Each chord which contained a Bb needs to be reanalyzed.
  • The first chord is now C–Eb–G–B, a minor triad and an major seventh. Therefore, it is minor-major seventh chord.
  • The third chord is now Eb–G–B–D, an augmented triad and an major seventh. Therefore, it is augmented-major seventh chord.
  • The fifth chord is now G–B–D–F, a major triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a dominant seventh chord.
  • The seventh chord is now B–D–F–Ab, a diminished triad and a diminished seventh. Therefore, it is a fully-diminished seventh chord.
  • The eighth chord is a repetition of the first (C–Eb–G–Bb), making it a minor-major seventh chord.
  • Finally, we will discuss the diatonic seventh chords of melodic minor.
  • To convert harmonic minor to melodic minor, the sixth tone is raised a half step. Therefore, each Ab (the sixth tone of C minor) is raised to an A.
  • Each chord which contained an Ab needs to be reanalyzed.
  • The second chord is now D–F–A–C, a minor triad and an minor seventh. Therefore, it is a minor seventh chord.
  • The fourth chord is now F–A–C–Eb, a major triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a dominant seventh chord.
  • The sixth chord is now A–C–Eb–G, a diminished triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is a half-diminished seventh chord.
  • The seventh chord is now B–D–F–A, a diminished triad and a minor seventh. Therefore, it is also a half-diminished seventh chord.
  • Use this chart to reference the diatonic seventh chords in each scale.
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