APPENDIX 5 OTHER SEVENTH CHORDS (MAJOR, MINOR,
HALF DIMINISHED, DIMINISHED)
There are five qualities of seventh chords. In Module 14 we studied the dominant seventhchord. In this appen-
dix, we will study the other four seventh chords: major seventh, minor seventh, half diminished seventh, and
diminished seventh.
In their simplest form, seventh chords have four notes, consecutive thirds apart. It is the quality of each of
the thirds that determines the quality of the seventh chord. Additionally, determining the quality of the triad
of the lowest three notes of the seventh chord and the quality of the seventh (from the lowest to the highest
note) helps to determine the quality of the seventh chord.
The seventh chords for C as the root are shown below.
Major Seventh Chords
Major seventh chords consist of a major triadand a major seventh(M7) from the root of the chord up to the
seventh.
In a major scale, major seventh chords are formed on the tonic and subdominant notes.
C major 7 C dom 7 C minor 7 C half dim7 C dim 7
M triad + M7 M triad + m7 m triad + m7 øtriad + m7 ° triad + d7GM triad M7 GM seventh chord438