Seventh chords theory and chord shapes
In this series of articles we look at the 7th chord shapes.
There are basically three types of 7th chords.
These are the major 7th , the minor 7th and the dominant 7th .
There are a wide variety of shapes for these but first we’ll look at the theory
behind each example.
Major and Minor chords consist of basically three notes
The major chord consists of the root note, the major 3rd and a perfect 5th
The minor chord consists of the root note a minor or flattened 3rd and a perfect 5th .
With a 7th chord an additional note is added above these three notes and it works as follows
The Major 7th chord consists of the root note, the major 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a major 7th note.
The Minor 7th chord consists of the root note, the minor 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a minor 7th note
The Dominant 7th consists of the root note, a major 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a minor 7th note.
The following series of illustrations will show how this works.
We will use the shapes with their root notes based on the root six or bass e string.
The shapes with their root notes based on the root 5 or bass A string.
The shapes with their roots based on the root 4 or bass D string.
Then look at a variety of open shapes for the chords.
Root 6 Chord shapes
Root 5 Chord shapes
Root 4 Chord shapes
Major 7 Open Chord shapes
Dominant 7 Open Chord shapes
Minor 7 Open Chord shapes
This is the end of our look at 7th chords and hopefully explains what they
are, what they look like and where you can find them.
Each chord has a subtle yet unique tonal quality which when heard in isolation
is quite distinct. When used within a chord sequence these subtleties
can dramatically enhance a piece of music.
We hope you have enjoyed this journey and now have a more
clearer understanding of how these chords work.
May I wish you well in your musical journey.
Mark Reed
In this series of articles we look at the 7th chord shapes.
There are basically three types of 7th chords.
These are the major 7th , the minor 7th and the dominant 7th .
There are a wide variety of shapes for these but first we’ll look at the theory
behind each example.
Major and Minor chords consist of basically three notes
The major chord consists of the root note, the major 3rd and a perfect 5th
The minor chord consists of the root note a minor or flattened 3rd and a perfect 5th .
With a 7th chord an additional note is added above these three notes and it works as follows
The Major 7th chord consists of the root note, the major 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a major 7th note.
The Minor 7th chord consists of the root note, the minor 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a minor 7th note
The Dominant 7th consists of the root note, a major 3rd note.
The perfect 5th note and a minor 7th note.
The following series of illustrations will show how this works.
We will use the shapes with their root notes based on the root six or bass e string.
The shapes with their root notes based on the root 5 or bass A string.
The shapes with their roots based on the root 4 or bass D string.
Then look at a variety of open shapes for the chords.
Root 6 Chord shapes
Root 5 Chord shapes
Root 4 Chord shapes
Major 7 Open Chord shapes
Dominant 7 Open Chord shapes
Minor 7 Open Chord shapes
This is the end of our look at 7th chords and hopefully explains what they
are, what they look like and where you can find them.
Each chord has a subtle yet unique tonal quality which when heard in isolation
is quite distinct. When used within a chord sequence these subtleties
can dramatically enhance a piece of music.
We hope you have enjoyed this journey and now have a more
clearer understanding of how these chords work.
May I wish you well in your musical journey.
Mark Reed
