Seventh Chords

Four Types of Seventh Chords

A seventh chord is a four-note chord. Start with a triad, then add one more note a seventh above the root.

The shorthand tells you two things: what kind of triad you started with, and whether the seventh note is lowered.

Shorthand	Plain name	What changes	Sound
Cmaj7	C major seventh	Major triad + major seventh (C-E-G-B)	Warm and open
C7	C dominant seventh	Major triad + lowered seventh (C-E-G-Bb)	Active, wants to move
Cm7	C minor seventh	Minor triad + lowered seventh (C-Eb-G-Bb)	Smooth and darker
Cm7b5	C half-diminished seventh	Diminished triad + lowered seventh (C-Eb-Gb-Bb)	Tense and unstable

Remember: maj7 keeps the natural seventh. Plain 7, m7, and m7b5 use the lowered seventh.

Use the names as sound labels first. The symbols get easier once the colors are clear.

Comparing Seventh Chord Types

Compare three chords built from C: Cmaj7, C7, and Cm7.

The root stays the same. Notice the color shift: Cmaj7 feels settled, C7 creates pull, and Cm7 sounds darker.

Play All Four Seventh Chord Types

• Play each seventh chord and identify its quality
• Name whether the seventh is natural or lowered
• Compare Cmaj7 to C7 and find the changed note
• Compare Cm7 to Cm7b5 and feel the extra tension