Seventh Chords
Seventh chords add a fourth note to a triad — a note that is some kind of 7th above the root. The dominant 7th creates bluesy tension that demands resolution. The major 7th sounds dreamy and sophisticated. The minor 7th is smooth and mellow.
The Main Seventh Chord Types
| Name | Symbol | Formula | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant 7th | 7 | [0, 4, 7, 10] | Bluesy, tense, wants to resolve |
| Major 7th | maj7 | [0, 4, 7, 11] | Dreamy, sophisticated, jazzy |
| Minor 7th | m7 | [0, 3, 7, 10] | Smooth, mellow, relaxed |
| Diminished 7th | dim7 | [0, 3, 6, 9] | Dramatic, classical "villain" sound |
| Half-Diminished | m7b5 | [0, 3, 6, 10] | Dark, jazzy, unresolved |
The Dominant 7th and V7-to-I
The dominant 7th is the most important seventh chord. It combines a major triad with a minor 7th (10 semitones), and the major 3rd and minor 7th form a tritone — the most dissonant interval — that desperately wants to resolve. The V7-to-I resolution (for example, G7 resolving to C) is the most fundamental harmonic motion in Western music. The dominant 7th is also the defining chord of blues, where every chord is often played as a 7th.
The major 7th sounds lush and sophisticated — the signature chord of bossa nova and dream pop. "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones opens with a major 7th. The minor 7th is smooth and relaxed, a workhorse of jazz, R&B, and neo-soul.
In ChordColor
All seventh chord types are available in the chord picker. The added 7th appears as a new color: Magenta-Pink (minor 7th) or Rose-Pink (major 7th), visually distinguishing seventh chords from plain triads.