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Minor Seventh Chords (Min7)

Minor seventh chords create a smooth, mellow, and soulful sound. They're less tense than minor triads.

Structure​

A minor seventh chord consists of:

  • Root - The fundamental note that gives the chord its name
  • Minor Third - 3 semitones above the root
  • Perfect Fifth - 7 semitones above the root
  • Minor Seventh - 10 semitones above the root
tip

The minor seventh is 2 semitones below the root note.

Examples:​

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  • Cm7: C - Eb - G - Bb
  • Dm7: D - F - A - C
  • Em7: E - G - B - D
  • Fm7: F - Ab - C - Eb

The C minor seventh chord contains the notes C - E♭ - G - B♭:

See that the first 3 notes make a C minor chord, but the top 3 notes make an Eb major chord. Same as the Major 7, having both major and minor parts makes it sound more complex.

  • C (Root)
  • E♭ (Minor Third - 3 semitones from C)
  • G (Perfect Fifth - 7 semitones from C)
  • B♭ (Minor Seventh - 10 semitones from C)

Sound Characteristics​

  • Mood: Smooth, mellow, soulful
  • Symbol: Cm7, Cmin7, C-7

Minor seventh chords are essential in jazz and contemporary music, providing a rich harmonic foundation without the harshness of a simple minor triad. They create smooth voice leading and are perfect for creating laid-back, sophisticated progressions.