7th Chords
Seventh chords are four-note chords that extend basic triads by adding a seventh interval above the root. They provide richer, more complex harmonies than simple triads and are essential in jazz, blues, classical, and contemporary music.
What Makes a Seventh Chord?
A seventh chord consists of:
- Root - The foundation note
- Third - Determines major or minor quality (3 or 4 semitones)
- Fifth - Usually perfect, but can be diminished or augmented (6, 7, or 8 semitones)
- Seventh - The added note that gives the chord its name (9, 10, or 11 semitones)
Why Use Seventh Chords?
- Harmonic Color: They add sophistication and depth to progressions
- Voice Leading: Create smoother transitions between chords
- Functional Harmony: Essential for creating tension and resolution
- Genre Defining: Fundamental to jazz, blues, and contemporary styles
Types of Seventh Chords
The different combinations of thirds, fifths, and sevenths create distinct chord qualities:
- Major 7th (M7)
- Minor 7th (m7)
- Dominant 7th (7)
- Diminished 7th (Dim7)
- Half-Diminished 7th (m7♭5)
- Augmented 7th (Aug7)
Each type serves different harmonic functions and creates unique emotional colors in your music.
Voicings
Having 4 notes, there are lots of ways to voice a seventh chord not including inversions. We will not go deep on it right now but know that the non-root notes can be re-ordered for voice leading, making transitions smooth or simply because you want that particular sound.
These all are voicings of Cm7 with the last one being the "original" one.
We will use different voicings to illustrate examples when needed