Major Seventh Chord | Construction And Identification

The notes of a Major seventh chord consist of the notes of a Major triad with the addition of an interval of a Major seventh above the root note. For example, the notes of a C Major triad are C, E, and G, and an interval of a Major seventh above the note C is the note B. Therefore, by adding the note B to the notes of a C Major triad we will have created a C Major seventh chord.

Minor Seventh Chord | Construction And Identification

In the previous video we learned how the notes of a Major seventh chord consist of the notes of a Major triad with the addition of an interval of a Major seventh above the root note. In that same respect, a minor seventh chord consists of the notes of a minor triad with an addition of a minor seventh above the root note. For example, the notes of an A minor triad are A, C, and E, and an interval of a minor seventh above the note A is the note G.

Dominant Seventh Chord | Construction And Identification

The Dominant seventh chord is a very important chord in traditional music theory. Playing a Dominant chord before the tonic creates a strong feeling of resolution for the listener. Adding an interval of a seventh to the root note of a Dominant chord only enhances the anticipation of the tonic. Don't worry. More information on chord functions will be made available in future videos. Dominant seventh chords are ubiquitous in many contemporary genres of music including jazz, rock, and specifically the blues.

Half Diminished Seventh Chord | Construction And Identification

Throughout this video series we have learned how the two components which construct a seventh chord are a triad and an interval of a seventh above its root note. A half diminished seventh chord is called so because only the triad component is diminished, while the interval of a seventh is minor.

Fully Diminished Seventh Chord | Construction And Identification

A fully diminished seventh chord consists of a diminished triad with an interval of a diminished seventh above the root note. As we learned in the previous video a diminished triad is essentially a minor triad with a flattened fifth.

Therefore, if the notes of an A minor triad are A, C, and E, then the notes of an A diminished triad would be A, C, and E-flat.