Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Inversions of Dominant Seventh Chords

Dominant seventh chords, like triads, may be inverted.

Notice:

• The seventh chord has four positions: root position and three inversions. (The triad, with only three notes,
  has three positions: root position and two inversions.)


• Unlike triad inversions, seventh chord inversions in close position will have an interval of a secondat the
  top, the middle, or the bottom of the chord. It is this interval relationship of a major second in the inverted
  chords (the whole step between F and G), and the interval of the seventh in the root position chord, that
  provide the important dissonance which is essential and characteristic of a seventh chord.

In this example, the root is G, which is colored in. The interval of the second is circled. The root of the seventh
chord (G) is the upper note of the second; you may use the interval of the second to identify the inversion and
the root of the chord.

• In root position, notes are thirds apart.


• In first inversion, the interval of the second is at the top of the chord.


• In second inversion, the second is in the middle.


• In third inversion, the second is at the bottom.

Figured Bass Symbols for Seventh Chords

Following are the figured bass symbols of the dominant seventh chord and its inversions. Numbers are for all
of the intervals ascending from the bass note.

377

SEVENTH CHORDS

Key: CM Root 1st 2nd 3rd

C

Root 1st 2nd 3rd

Chord symbols: G7 G7/B G7/D G7/F

7

5

3

6

5

3

6

4

3

6

4

2