The last lesson dealt with triads. This lesson adds another third to the chord to give us the seventh chords.
Course Recap
In the previous lesson, we learnt the four main triad shapes and looked at how they are constructed from two stacked thirds.
Major Chord = Major 3rd + Minor 3rd
Minor Chord = Minor 3rd + Major 3rd
Augmented Chord = Major 3rd + Major 3rd
Diminished Chord = Minor 3rd + Minor 3rd
In this lesson, we will add another third to the triads to create different types of 7th chords. Let’s take each basic triad and see how the chord changes when we add a 7th.
Major triad + Major 7th = Major 7 chord (1 3 5 7)
Majortriad + Minor 7th = Dominant 7 chord (1 3 5 b7)
Minor triad + Major 7th = Minor (Major 7) chord (1 b3 5 7)
Minor triad + Minor 7th = Minor 7 chord (1 b3 5 b7)
Diminished triad + Major 7th = Diminished Major 7 chord (1 b3 b5 7)
Diminished triad + Minor 7th = Minor 7b5 chord (1 b3 b5 b7)
Augmented triad + Major 7th = Major 7#5 chord (1 3 #5 7)
Augmented triad + Minor 7th = Dominant 7#5 chord (1 3 #5 7)
Here are the chords again, notated:
We can practice the 7th chords in the same way we practised the triads. Starting on the same tonic each time, play each arpeggiated chord through four times before moving on to the next.
Order of chords:
Major 7
Dominant 7
Minor 7
Minor (major 7)
Major 7#5
Dominant 7#5
Minor 7b5
Diminished 7
As with the triads, learn to hear the sound of each 7th chord. Every combination of intervals gives us a unique character to each chord.
Great lesson, Mark. In the PDF, example 7, shouldn’t the B be a Bb, for the minor 7 b5?
Absolutely. Well done for spotting that and thanks.
Mark
Hi Mark,
In the video at the 52 second mark, you begin to remind us of the four combinations of stacked 3rds.
You say “Major and minor, minor and minor, major and minor and minor and major”.
I assume this should actually be “Major and minor, minor and minor, major and major, minor and major”?
Thanks,
Kon
That’s right. I need to annotate that. I noticed after I recorded it but didn’t have the heart to re-record the whole thing again. Thanks for reminding me.
Great lesson, thanks.
Great, as ever. This one went a little too fast for me at times, but it’s not really a problem since there is also a PDF.
These videos are great, I can’t stress how much they are helping me with bass playing and understanding music. Keep them coming !!
Keep on writing and chnugigg away!
Hello Mark, I am enjoying these lessons very much. Thanks I am actually liking the theory alot…..good work
Along with Skype lessons this makes far more sense. I’m a little on musicality, but getting there.
Thanks for this lesson Mark! You’re a great teacher :)
thank you so much for these lessons! Thought I was a lost cause when it came to music theory. Maybe ill pick up math after this;P
Thanks Mark. Really enjoying leaning the theory and really helping to expand my playing knowledge and enjoyment.
Thanks a bunch Mark. Have been reading books for a year or so but these lessons are making everything so much better! Am enjoying the theory also. By the way trying to work out the accent too!
Thank you very much..amazing lesson…like all the others. Helps a lot…..
Thanks Mark. Great lesson. Clear & to the point.
Can’t get enough of that dom7#5, been jamming on it with the looper. getting a lovely latin vibe. :)
Hello Mark, I learned these chords from your video, and after a while I opened attached PDF and found a difference in fingering of Minor7 b5 chord. In your PDF you have fingering 3 – 1 – 4 – 2, but in video you play it 3 – 1 – 4 – 1. Which one is correct please, or it depends on circumstances? Thanks, Michal
Hi Mark, first of all, thanks a million for putting all these lessons online, truly helpful ! ! I just noticed two things though within this peculiar lesson (please correct me if I’m wrong) :
– When you mentioned the “Augmented triad + Minor 7th = Dominant 7#5 chord (1 3 #5 7)” the 7th of the dominant 7 is major which makes it a Major 7#5 chord while the 7th should a b7, right ?
– within the examples in the key of C, you put a Cdim7 chord which hasn’t been mentioned above as none of the chords mentioned imply a bb7, so is this chord a Diminished minor 7th chord or a Dominant minor 7th chord…? (even though i don’t know if we may call it this way)
Thanks for your answer !
Lil’
great lesson (and so does other lessons)
there is a small typo on the Dominant 7#5 chord, should be 1 3 #5 b7 (rather than 1 3 #5 7)
on the notes it is correct, just on the text above it has the type
thank you
Thanks Mr Mark, absolutely awesome lessons. J
Sound!
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