Common Seventh Chords--The GSA Music Theory Department

Music Theory Department, Governor's Magnet School for the Arts, Norfolk, Virginia

Common Seventh Chords
Seventh chords are a key part of tonal music. They produce various effects on the listener and using them properly can make or break a composition--or even a conductor. Major 7th chord Dominant 7th chord Minor-major 7th chord Minor 7th chord Half-diminished (Minor 7th Flat 5) 7th chord Diminished 7th chord

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Major Seventh Chords

Minor Seventh Chords

Dominant 7th Chord
The Major Seventh chord is made of all major intervals - 1, 3, 5, and 7. For example. the notes C, E, G, B make up the Cmaj7 chord, and G, B, D, F# make up the Gmaj7 chord.

Diminished Seventh Chord
The diminished seven chord is made of all minor intervals - 1, 3, 5, and a double flatted seven 7. For example The notes C, E, G, B make up the Cº7 chord, and G, B, D, F make up the Gº7 chord.

Minor-Major 7th Chord

The minor- major seven chord is made up of a minor chord with a major seven - 1, 3, 5, and 7. For example, the notes C, E, G, B make up the C-maj7 chord, and G, B, D, F# make up the G-maj7 chord. (The melodic minor chord)
Half-Diminished Seventh Chord
The half- diminished (also shown as C with a circle with a slash through it) seven chord is made of all minor intervals - 1, 3, 5, and 7. For example, the notes C, E, G, B make up the C-75 chord, and G, B, D, F make up the G-75 chord.