Have you ever wondered what a seventh chord on piano is? 7th chords are commonly found in genres like jazz and blues and are synonymous with the sounds of the genres. These interesting piano chords add a bit more flavour than standard chords and are great tools for composers and performers to learn. In this article we will break down what seventh chords are, how to build them and most importantly, how to play them. Let’s get started!
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What is a 7th chord in music?
A seventh chord is made from a root, third, fifth and a seventh interval. These chords are commonly used to introduce tension and resolution, giving music a more expressive character. They are most often four note chords and give a player or composer a much broader pallet of sounds and feelings than standard three note chords. In this article we will use both piano intervals and scale degrees to break down these chords step by step to help you understand how they work as well as how to find and build them.
Notating 7th chords
The types of 7th chord can be notated using a combination of letters and numbers to indicate their quality and structure above the written version on the staff or through the use of chord charts.
For example:
- C major seventh – Cmaj7,C^
- C minor seventh – Cm7
- C minor major seventh – Cmin(maj7) or Cm^
- C dominant seventh – C7.
- C half-diminished – can be either Cø7 or Cm7♭5.
- C fully diminished seventh – C°7.
- C augmented major seventh – C^#5 or C^+
- C augmented dominant seventh – C7#5 or C7+
- C altered seventh – C7alt
Although it is not as common in modern notation, Roman numeral analysis can also be used to notate 7th chord symbols. Major seventh chords are written as I⁷ (e.g. Cmaj7 in C major), dominant sevenths as V⁷ (e.g G7 in C major) and minor sevenths as ii⁷ (e.g. Dm7 in C major). This highlights the context of the chord as well as its quality.
Both these ways of writing chord symbols help musicians quickly understand harmonic functions and chord relationships in music. In this article we will focus on letter notation rather than roman numerals.
Constructing chords with intervals and scales
All chords in music are a combination of different spaces between notes, known as intervals. Every chord type has its own unique interval structure that gives it a particular sonority and function.
There are three common ways in which you can create and identify seventh chords:
- Stacking thirds: This method measures the distance between each note identifying the thirds used to construct the chord.
- Building from the root: This approach measures each interval from the root of the chord.
- Building in a scale: Chords can also be constructed and identified through the use of piano scales and going up on thirds from a specific degree of a scale. For example if you start form the first degree of C major and play a note and skip a note (go up in thirds) you have a C major 7th piano chord.This is a great way to begin understanding a chord’s origin and function. For example: C D E F G A B C = C major7 – C E G B
Types of seventh chord
Let’s examine the wide variety of 7th chords on offer, how they sound and how to use them.
Major seventh chord
A major seventh chord has a bright major sound. It is formed from the first degree of the major scale. It is often used for resolutions that require a little more interest than a simple major chord. It can often be found being used in jazz and pop to add a bit of sophistication.
Interval construction:
The major seventh chord is characterized by major seventh giving it its characteristic rich sound with brightness and a hint of longing. Try playing this example of a Cmaj7.
Stacked:
B – major third
G – minor third
E – major third
C – Root
From the root:
B – major seventh
G – perfect fifth
E – major third
C – Root
Scale construction:
This chord can be constructed by stacking thirds from the first note of a major scale. Notice how these notes are the first, third, fifth and seventh of C major. This construction based on the root note of a major scale allows this chord to be used as a resolution with the major seventh interval adding longing.
Minor seventh chord
A minor seventh chord has a smooth minor sound. It is often used in minor resolutions when a bit more interest is required than a simple minor triad. It can also be found being used in jazz and pop to add a bit of a richer feel.
Interval construction:
The minor seventh chord is characterized by a minor seventh interval. This addition to a minor triad gives it a smooth and melancholic quality. Try playing this example of a Cm7.
Stacked:
Bb – minor third
G – major third
Eb – minor third
C – Root
From the root:
Bb – minor seventh
G – perfect fifth
Eb – minor third
C – Root
Scale construction:
A minor 7th chord can be constructed by stacking thirds from the first note of a minor scale. Notice how these notes are the first, third, fifth and seventh of C minor. This construction from the root of a minor scale is what allows it to be used as a minor resolution with extra flavour.
Minor major seventh chord
A minor major seventh chord has a very striking mysterious minor sound. It is often used in minor progression to add surprise and tension. It can often be found in scores where it gives a feeling of unease and mystery.
Interval construction
The minor major seventh chord is a unique blend of minor and major tonality. It’s a minor chord with an added seventh interval. This addition creates a mysterious and dramatic sound. Have a go at playing this example of a CmMaj7.
Stacked:
B – major third
G – major third
Eb – minor third
C – Root
From the root:
B – major seventh
G – perfect fifth
Eb – minor third
C – Root
Scale construction:
The minor major 7th chord can be formed from the first degree of the harmonic minor scale. The raised 7th of a harmonic minor is what gives this chord its unique sound.
Dominant seventh chord
A dominant seventh chord has a tense major sound. It can often be found being used in jazz and pop to add build up tension before a resolution in both major and minor keys.
Interval construction
The dominant seventh chord is characterized by its strong, bluesy sound, created by the lowered seventh interval. Try playing this example of a C7 piano chord.
Stacked:
Bb – minor third
G – minor third
E – major third
C – Root
From the root:
Bb – minor seventh
G – perfect fifth
E – major third
C – Root
Scale construction:
A dominant 7th chord formed by stacking thirds from the fifth degree of the major scale. The minor 7th of a C7 chord is created by building this chord on this 5th degree is what gives this chord its need for resolution. It can often be found as a chord just before a major or minor resolution to the first scale degree chord.
Half diminished seventh chord
The half diminished seventh chord has a dark and unstable sound, often used in minor key progressions. It is commonly used in jazz and before a dominant seventh for a more unstable, tense sound to set up a resolution.
Interval construction
The half diminished 7th chord is characterized by a tense minor sound, created by the diminished fifth interval. Try playing this example of a Cø7.
Stacked:
Bb – major third
Gb – minor third
Eb – minor third
C – Root
From the root:
Bb – minor seventh
Gb – diminished fifth
Eb – minor third
C – Root
Scale construction:
The half diminished 7th chord can be formed by stacking thirds from the second degree of a minor scale.
Diminished seventh chord
The diminished seventh chord has a crunchy sound, often used to create voice leading in progressions and modulation. It is used in jazz and classical music and for a more unstable, tense sound to set up a resolution.
Interval construction
The diminished seventh chord has a highly tense and dramatic sound due to its diminished 5th and 7th degrees. Try playing this example of a C°7.
Stacked:
Bbb – minor third
Gb – minor third
Eb – minor third
C – Root
From the root:
Bbb – diminished seventh
Gb – diminished fifth
Eb – minor third
C – Root
Scale construction:
The diminished seventh chord is built by stacking minor thirds and can be found on the 7th degree of a harmonic minor scale.
Augmented major seventh chords
The augmented major seventh chord has a sickly sweet crunchy sound, often used to create voice leading in progressions and modulation. It is often used in jazz and romantic period music for voice leading and varied chord sonorities.
Interval construction
The augmented major seventh chord has a bright and tense sound because of the raised fifth. This alteration adds tension to the already bright major seventh sound. Try playing this example of a Cmaj7+.
Stacked:
B – minor third
G# – major third
E – major third
C – Root
From the root:
B – major seventh
G# – augmented fifth
E – major third
C – Root
Scale construction:
An augmented major seventh chord can be found by stacking thirds from the third degree of a harmonic minor scale.
Augmented dominant seventh chords
The augmented dominant seventh chord has a strong and unstable quality, making it useful for a bit of extra colour. It is commonly used to create voice leading in progressions and modulation. Like the augmented major 7th it is also often used in jazz and late romantic music and for voice leading, tension and extra movement.
Interval construction
The addition of a raised fifth to a dominant chord adds an extra tension to the chord. Try playing this example of a C7#5.
Stacked:
Bb – minor third
G# – major third
E – major third
C – Root
From the root:
Bb – minor seventh
G# – augmented fifth
E – major third
C – Root
Scale construction:
This chord can be found in the whole tone scale by playing the first, third, fifth and sixth degrees of the scale.
Altered dominant seventh chord
The altered dominant seventh chord is a unique chord as the piano notes aren’t specific; it can include a variety of raised or lowered chord tones. It is commonly used in jazz and funk for added tension and gives musicians freedom to improvise and have fun with this chord.
Interval construction
The altered 7th chord is built by altering one or more notes, such as raising or lowering the fifth, or chord extensions such as a ninth. This can add a strong sense of tension. Try playing this example of a C7alt alternating between the Gb and G#.
Stacked:
Bb – minor third
G/G# – altered fifth
E – major third
C – Root
From the root:
Bb – minor seventh
G/G# – altered fifth
E – major third
C – Root
Scale construction:
As with a standard dominant 7th chord it is formed on the fifth degree of a scale but the variety of alterations that a player is invited to means it is not tied to one specific key.
Seventh chords downloadable chart
Although that may sound like a lot of information once you get to grips with these beautiful chords they will become second nature. In the meantime download our helpful chart. Refer to this whenever you get stuck.
Seventh chords in other keys
So far all the examples we have looked at have been in C. However these chords can all be played in different keys through the use of transposition. Using the intervals we looked at in the breakdown of each chord you can use your preferred method to put any of the seventh chords in different keys. Let’s look at an example and transpose a 7th chord and create an A7 and a G7 through different methods.
A7 piano chord stacked:
G – minor third
E – minor third
C# – major third
A – Root
D7 piano chord from the root:
C – minor seventh
A – perfect fifth
F# – major third
D – Root
Scale construction:
As we know from our previous example in C we can build 7th chords from a scale if we know the scale degrees to build them on.
Both major and minor seventh chords can be built in thirds from the roots of their scales.
D maj7 piano chord: D – E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D
Dmin7 piano chord: D – E – F – G – A – B – C – D
Other chords like dominant seventh chords are built from other degrees of the scale. The dominant 7th is built from the fifth degree of a major scale. You will need to find the scale D is the fifth of and build the chord from there:
- G major has D as its 5th note: G A B C D E F# G
- Build the scale from there: D E F# G A B C D
- You have found a D dominant 7th chord in the key of g major: D F# A C
Practice taking seventh chords through different keys as soon as you feel comfortable with making them yourself. This will solidify everything you have learned in this article. Putting these chords in all keys improves your familiarity with the keyboard and enhances your harmonic knowledge. Keep up the practice and you will be fluent in 7th chords in no time!
Seventh chord inversions
Learning chord inversions is a crucial part of understanding how chords and voice leading works. These alterations to the order in which you play the notes of these chords can make for smooth transitions between chords in a progression and add variety to your playing. The formula for all four possible inversions of seventh chords are:
- Root position: Root – third – fifth – seventh
- First inversion: Third – fifth – seventh – root
- Second inversion: Fifth – seventh – root – third
- Third inversion: Seventh – root – third – fifth
Some seventh chords suit certain inversions more than others. For example a fully diminished chord works equally well in all inversions due to its construction being of solely minor thirds.
However, chords like the major 7th and minor major 7th need to be treated with more care as the first inversion of this chord creates a semitone clash between the root and the seventh which can be undesirable in certain circumstances. Try out these inversions for yourself and get familiar with how they sound and can help you with voice leading.
Popular songs to master with 7th chords
Many well-known songs make great use of seventh chords. With the Skoove app it’s easier than ever to get to grips with them. Take a look at some of our favorites.
Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma
This jazz classic is a great way to introduce yourself to seventh chords in a quintessential jazz progression with examples of 7th chords in both major and minor keys.
All The Things You Are – Frank Sinatra
Another jazz standard, “All The Things You Are”, is a great way to get yourself familiar with a wide variety of seventh chords in a range of keys. It’s a great tune to learn once you get familiar with 7th chords in more than one key.
Coppacabanna – Barry Manilow
“Copacabana” is a great way to introduce some seventh chords into your playing. It uses half diminished 7th chords in a groovy manner that elevates this catchy pop song with this extended harmony.
Practicing these songs and any of your favorite tunes with 7th chords on the Skoove app is the best way to improve your playing with live feedback and a great variety of songs. Regular practice with tools like this will improve both your confidence and technique.
Top tips for mastering 7th chords
Here are the best exercises and approaches to get to grips with seventh chords and incorporate them into your practice.
- Use your ears: Get use to how all these chords sounds and their different feelings and relationships
- Listen: Try to recognise the use of 7th chords in songs this helps further develop your ear.
- Practice voicings – Play these chord shapes in multiple inversions to get used to them and how it can change the sound of each chord.
- Experiment with chord progressions – Try ii-V-I sequences like the ones found in “Autumn Leaves”.
- Use voicings: Like inversions, voicings change the feel of chords. Sometimes you don’t need all the notes to get the characteristic 7th sound. Try omitting roots and fifths where necessary to make playing easier especially if that note is being played in your left hand.
Seventh chords where to go from here
Now you’ve got to grips with seventh chords, where do you go from here? These four note chords serve as a foundation for more complex extended jazz chords and more advanced harmonies. Keep practicing, incorporating inversions and experimenting with new progressions to enhance your playing skills. Be sure to use the Skoove app to help when you need it. Happy practicing!
Author of this blog post:
Matthew Dickman
With over a decade of experience in music education Matthew holds a BA in Music from Paul McCartney’s LIPA and an MA in Composition from the University of Salford. Mathew has developed a distinctive compositional voice and approach to music theory education through his research and work in the music industry. Matthew’s writing for Skoove combines experience from orchestral and media composition, and as a gigging jazz musician, to create a wholistic and accessible pedagogy for musicians of any level. Away from music, he enjoys reading and exploring nature to expand his horizons and knowledge contributing to his holistic teaching style.
