4.2 Seventh Chord Types and Inversions

Seventh chords add depth and color to music by stacking four notes. They come in various flavors: major, minor, dominant, half-diminished, and fully diminished. Each type has a unique sound and role in harmonic progressions.

Inversions of seventh chords offer even more harmonic possibilities. By changing the bass note, composers can create smooth voice leading and interesting chord progressions. Understanding these chords is key to analyzing and creating rich, expressive music.

Seventh Chord Types

Qualities and Intervals

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• Seventh chords are formed by adding a seventh above the root, third, and fifth of a triad
• The quality of the seventh chord is determined by the intervals between the notes
• Major seventh chords consist of a major triad with a major seventh above the root (M3, P5, M7)
  • They have a bright, jazzy sound and are often used in jazz and popular music (Cmaj7)
• Minor seventh chords consist of a minor triad with a minor seventh above the root (m3, P5, m7)
  • They have a mellower, more introspective sound than dominant seventh chords (Cm7)
  • Commonly used in various musical genres (blues, jazz, rock)
• Dominant seventh chords consist of a major triad with a minor seventh above the root (M3, P5, m7)
  • They have a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic (G7 resolving to C)
  • Frequently used in classical, jazz, and popular music

Diminished Seventh Chords

• Half-diminished seventh chords (also known as minor seventh flat five chords) consist of a diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root (m3, d5, m7)
  • They have a tense, unstable sound and often function as ii7 chords in minor keys (Bm7b5 in A minor)
• Fully diminished seventh chords (also known as diminished seventh chords) consist of a diminished triad with a diminished seventh above the root (m3, d5, d7)
  • They have a very tense, dissonant sound and are often used as passing chords or to create harmonic tension
  • Can be used to modulate to remote keys due to their symmetrical structure (Co7 can lead to Db, E, or G)

Building Seventh Chords

Formulas for Construction

• To build a seventh chord, start with the root note and add the third, fifth, and seventh above it, according to the desired chord quality
• For major seventh chords, use the formula: root, major third (4 semitones), perfect fifth (7 semitones), and major seventh (11 semitones)
• For minor seventh chords, use the formula: root, minor third (3 semitones), perfect fifth (7 semitones), and minor seventh (10 semitones)
• For dominant seventh chords, use the formula: root, major third (4 semitones), perfect fifth (7 semitones), and minor seventh (10 semitones)
• For half-diminished seventh chords, use the formula: root, minor third (3 semitones), diminished fifth (6 semitones), and minor seventh (10 semitones)
• For fully diminished seventh chords, use the formula: root, minor third (3 semitones), diminished fifth (6 semitones), and diminished seventh (9 semitones)

Constructing Seventh Chords on Various Roots

• Apply the appropriate formula to the given root note to construct the desired seventh chord
• Example: To build a C dominant seventh chord (C7), use the root (C), major third (E), perfect fifth (G), and minor seventh (Bb)
• Example: To build an F minor seventh chord (Fm7), use the root (F), minor third (Ab), perfect fifth (C), and minor seventh (Eb)

Seventh Chord Inversions

Inversion Types and Notation

• Seventh chord inversions are formed by placing a note other than the root in the bass voice
• Root position (7): The root is the lowest note, and the other notes are stacked in thirds above it
• First inversion (6/5): The third is the lowest note, with the root, fifth, and seventh above it
• Second inversion (4/3): The fifth is the lowest note, with the root, third, and seventh above it
• Third inversion (4/2): The seventh is the lowest note, with the root, third, and fifth above it
• Figured bass notation is used to label seventh chord inversions, with the intervals above the bass note indicated by numbers (e.g., 6/5 for first inversion)

Identifying Inversions

• To identify a seventh chord inversion, determine the lowest note and its relationship to the root
• Example: In the chord [G, B, D, F], the lowest note is G, which is the root, so this is a G7 chord in root position
• Example: In the chord [E, G, Bb, D], the lowest note is E, which is the third of a C7 chord, so this is a C7 chord in first inversion (C6/5)

Seventh Chords in Music

Harmonic Functions and Progressions

• Seventh chords add harmonic complexity, tension, and color to musical compositions, creating a richer and more diverse harmonic palette
• In functional harmony, seventh chords often serve as predominant, dominant, or tonic substitutions, enhancing the harmonic progression and creating a sense of forward motion
• Dominant seventh chords are frequently used in cadences (e.g., V7-I) to create a strong sense of resolution and establish the key center
• Seventh chords can be used for modulation, as they contain multiple common tones with chords in different keys, facilitating smooth transitions between key centers (C7 shares common tones with F, Am, and G)

Usage in Various Genres

• In jazz and popular music, seventh chords form the basis of many chord progressions, with extended chords (e.g., ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords) built upon them for added harmonic color and complexity
• Jazz standards often feature complex chord progressions with a variety of seventh chords (ii7-V7-Imaj7)
• Blues music heavily relies on dominant seventh chords, particularly in the 12-bar blues progression (I7-IV7-V7)
• Seventh chords are used in rock and pop music to add depth and sophistication to chord progressions (Fm7-Bb7-EbMaj7)

Voice Leading and Composition

• Composers often use seventh chords for voice leading purposes, creating smooth, stepwise motion between voices and minimizing harmonic leaps
• Seventh chords provide opportunities for smooth voice leading, as they contain multiple common tones with other chords
• Example: In the progression Dm7-G7-CMaj7, the seventh of Dm7 (C) can be held as a common tone and becomes the root of CMaj7
• When using seventh chords in composition, consider their harmonic function, voice leading potential, and the desired emotional effect on the listener