Did you know that there are a lot of variations of 7th chords you can use in music, 7 main types in fact. And each one has a unique harmonic function and character.
The reason for this is that a seventh chord is a chord consisting of a triad plus a note forming an interval of a seventh above the chord’s root. That means a 3rd on a 3rd on a 3rd. And since a 3rd can be major or minor, this opens up a lot of options to you.
Quick Guide of the 7 Types of 7th Chords in Music
1 – Major 7th chord
The major seventh chord is made up of a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a major seventh. It has a bright and joyful sound, and is often used to bring a sense of resolution or closure to a musical phrase.
2 – Minor 7th chord
Next is the minor seventh chord, which is made from a root, a minor third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. It has a more subdued and somber sound compared to the major seventh chord, and is often used to convey emotion or tension in a musical passage.
3 – Dominant 7th chord
A dominant seventh chord is made up of a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. It has a strong and energetic sound, and is often used to create a sense of movement or tension in a musical phrase.
4 – Half-diminished 7th chord
A half-diminished seventh chord is made up of a root, a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh. It has a tense and unstable sound, and is often used to create dissonance or dissonant resolution in a musical passage.
5 – Fully-diminished 7th chord
A fully-diminished seventh chord is made up of a root, a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a diminished seventh. It has a very tense and unstable sound, and is often used to create dissonance or dissonant resolution in a musical passage.
6 – Augmented 7th chord
An augmented seventh chord is made up of a root, a major third, an augmented fifth, and a minor seventh. It has a tense and unstable sound, and is often used to create dissonance or dissonant resolution in a musical passage.
7 – Major 7th flat 5th chord
A major seventh flat fifth chord is made up of a root, a major third, a diminished fifth, and a major seventh. It has a tense and unstable sound, and is often used to create dissonance or dissonant resolution in a musical passage.
Why do you use 7th chords in music?
All 7th chords add depth and complexity to music by introducing additional notes and intervals to a chord.
Experimenting with all the different types of seventh chords in your music can help you add more colour and expression.