3.3 Seventh Chords

Adding a seventh

A seventh chord adds a note a seventh above the root (a fourth note on top of a triad): C–E–G–B is a C major seventh.

Common types

Dominant 7th (major triad + minor 7th, e.g. G–B–D–F) is the most important, built on scale degree 5 (V7). Major 7th, minor 7th, and diminished 7th are other qualities.

Seventh-chord inversions

Figured bass for 7th chords: root position 7, first inversion 6/5, second inversion 4/3, third inversion 4/2 (or 2). So V7, V6/5, V4/3, V4/2.

Key terms

Seventh chord

a triad plus a note a 7th above the root

Dominant 7th (V7)

major triad + minor 7th, built on degree 5

Qualities

dominant, major, minor, diminished 7th

7th-chord figures

7, 6/5, 4/3, 4/2 (root → third inversion)

V6/5

dominant seventh in first inversion

Try an AP-style question

A dominant seventh chord consists of…

1. a major triad plus a minor seventh
2. a minor triad plus a minor seventh
3. a major triad plus a major seventh
4. a diminished triad plus a diminished seventh