Major Seventh: Chords
Major Seventh: Chords
& Chuku Onyemachi
QUICK
REFERENCE ON
Major Seventh
Chords
PRELIMINARY
CHAPTER
Major Seventh
Chords Defined
In the major scale, the major seventh chord can be formed on the first
and fourth degrees. That means that approximately 29% of scale
degree seventh chords are major seventh chords.
Even though the major seventh chord is considered to be dissonant in
classical music, it is the toast of several popular music styles like
jazz, r&b, and funk to name a few.
We'll be covering as much as we can on the major seventh chord,
ranging from its definition to its intervallic breakdown and
formation.
There's so much to cover so don’t be in a haste to zone off from this
post.
"What is a Major
Seventh Chord?"
A major seventh chord is basically a seventh chord.
Seventh chords are note combinations (aka "chords") that
encompass seven diatonic degrees.
In music theory, chords can be created by stacking notes together.
The relationship between these notes that are stacked together can be
based on intervals of seconds (aka "secundal harmony"):
...thirds (aka "tertian harmony"):
...and even fourths (aka "quartal harmony"):
Heck, there are even chords that are stacked together in fifths (aka
"quintal chords") and I hope to cover quintal chords in subsequent
courses.
major seventh chord
Our use of the term in this course refers to any
chord built off the major scale, whose size encompasses seven scale
degrees with third intervals
between chord tones (aka "tertian
harmony").
If this doesn't make any sense right now, don't worry. I'll break it
down, stepbystep, in this lesson.
Starting from the first degree of the C major scale (C):
...if we stack a third (E):
...and another third (G):
...and yet another third (B):
...this would produce the C major seventh chord.
Notice that all these thirds are not the same in quality.
C to E:
...is a major third.
E to G:
...is a minor third
G to B:
...is a major third.
In tertian harmony, we are not particular about the quality of third
used, whether major or minor.
To take you to the next level in your understanding of the major
seventh chord, let's break it down to see the intervals it is made up of.
CHAPTER 1
What Major
Seventh
Chords Are
Made Of
If we breakdown the C major seventh chord:
...into intervals, here are the three intervals in relation to C, the root:
C to E:
...a
major third
interval.
C to G:
...a
perfect fifth
interval.
C to B:
...a
major seventh
interval.
Let's look at the properties of these intervals...
The Major Third
Interval
relationship in pitch
The major third is the between the
first and
third
tones of the major scale. Using the C major scale, the major
third interval is formed by the relationship between C and E:
This quality of interval on the third chord tone determines the
tonality of a chord, whether it is major or minor. This is the interval
that makes the major seventh chord a major chord quality.
The Perfect Fifth
Interval
relationship in pitch
The perfect fifth is the between the
first and
fifth
tones of the major scale.
Using the C major scale, the perfect fifth interval is formed by the
relationship between C and G:
This quality of interval on the fifth chord tone determines the
stability
of the chord. The major seventh derives its stability from the
perfect fifth interval, which is said to be
universally consonant.
The Major Seventh
Interval
relationship in pitch
The major seventh is the between the first and
seventh tones of the major scale. Using the C major scale, the major
seventh interval is formed by the relationship between C and B:
Although intervals of a seventh are considered dissonant in
traditional European art music (aka "classical music"), the major
seventh chord is incredibly popular in jazz, r&b, and other popular
music styles.
CHAPTER 2
Alternative
Chord
Formation
Techniques
There are various approaches to chord formation. In previous weeks,
we've approached chord formation using scales, intervals, and even
chords.
In addition to these approaches, we'll be using mutual intervals also
in the formation of the major seventh chord. If you're not certain
about what the term mutual interval
means, don't worry, we'll cover
it in the last part of this segment.
Let’s get started.
Scale Approach to
the Chord
Formation of the
Major Seventh
Chord
The major seventh chord can be formed using the major scale.
Using the major scale of C, for instance, we can stack notes in thirds
or using my favorite technique the
pickskiptechnique.
We can pick C:
...skip D and pick E:
...skip F and pick G:
...skip A and pick B:
Playing all the notes we've picked out will produce a chord that spans
from C to B:
...exactly seven degrees in the C major scale. Like we said in the
earlier segment,
C E G B = C major seventh chord.
"Let's take two more examples using the major scales of D and Ab..."
The D major scale can be subjected to this chord formation to
produce the D major seventh chord. Of course, you must know your
D major scale (D E F# G A B C# D). Here's how it works...
We can pick D:
...skip E and pick F#:
...skip G and pick A:
...skip B and pick C#:
Playing all the notes we've picked out will produce a chord that spans
from D to C#:
...exactly seven degrees in the D major scale.
Here's the second example...
The Ab major seventh chord can be formed from the Ab major scale
(Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab) using the same approach. Here's how it
works...
We can pick Ab:
...skip Bb and pick C:
...skip Db and pick Eb:
...skip F and pick G:
Playing all the notes we've picked out will produce a chord that spans
from Ab to G:
...exactly seven degrees in the Ab major scale.
Attention: If you're not familiar with the major scale in all the keys,
this approach will prove challenging, if not impossible. Endeavor to
familiarize yourself with the major scales if you must approach the
formation of the major seventh chord from the major scale.
Let's move on to the next chord formation approach for the major
seventh chord.
Interval Approach
to the Chord
Formation of the
Major Seventh
Chord
Earlier in this course, we broke the seventh chord into smaller bits
known as intervals. Here are three of them...
Major third
Perfect fifth
Major seventh
These intervals can be stacked into one octave to produce the major
seventh chord. Familiarity of these intervals in all the keys will help
you play the major seventh chords in all keys.
Remember these intervals:
The
major third is derived by the combination of the first and third
tones of any given major scale.
The
perfect fifth
is derived by the combination of the first and fifth
degrees of the major scale.
The
major seventh
is derived by the first and seventh degrees of the
major scale.
"Let me show you these intervals in the key of Eb..."
Using the Eb major scale (Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb):
...here are the intervallic components of the major seventh chord:
Major third
The major third interval is formed between the first and third tones of
the Eb major scale which are Eb and G:
...respectively.
Perfect fifth
The interval formed between Eb and Bb:
...which are the first and fifth tones of the Eb major scale,
respectively, is called the perfect fifth interval.
Major seventh
The major seventh interval is formed between the first and seventh
tones of the Eb major scale which are Eb and D:
...respectively.
Stacking these intervals will produce the Eb major seventh chord:
Attention: Intervals are the building blocks of chords. You will do
well to learn more about intervals if you want to have a deeper
understanding of chords (aka "harmonic structures").
Let’s take our knowledge of chord formation a step further by
looking at mutual intervals.
[Bonus Approach]: Use of Mutual Intervals
in
the Chord Formation of the Major Seventh
Chord
In this segment, we'll be breaking the major seventh chord into
mutual intervals. If you call this an advanced interval approach, so be
it.
The major seventh chord can be broken down into two perfect fifth
intervals. For example, the C major seventh chord can be broken into
two perfect fifth intervals. Check them out below:
CG:
...and E B:
The placement of these perfect fifth intervals side by side (aka
"juxtaposition") would produce the major seventh interval.
Owing to the fact that these mutual intervals are identical (two
perfect fifth intervals), your understanding of the perfect fifth
interval in all the keys will help you through the chord formation of
the major seventh chord.
For reference purpose, here are all perfect fifth intervals:
C:
Db:
D:
Eb:
E:
F:
Gb:
G:
Ab:
A:
Bb:
B:
"Here's How to
Juxtapose Two
Perfect Fifth
Intervals To
Produce A Major
Seventh Chord"
Step 1
Choose the note
you want to form the major seventh chord
on.
Step 2
Determine the first and third tones
of the major scale of
that key.
Step 3
Form the perfect fifth interval
both on the first and third
tones (your answer to step 2).
Step 4
Juxtapose the intervals derived
in one octave.
If you can follow steps 1 to 4 above, you can form the major seventh
chord using this method.
Step 1
Choose the note
you want to form the major seventh chord
on.
Our choice is C:
Step 2
Determine the first and third tones
of the major scale of
that key.
The first and third tones of the C major scale are C and E:
Step 3
Form the perfect fifth interval
both on the first and third
tones.
Formation of perfect fifth intervals on the notes we derived in step 2.
We derived C and E. Check out the perfect fifth intervals on the keys
of C and E:
CG:
EB:
Step 4
Juxtapose the intervals derived
in one octave.
The intervals CG:
and EB:
...are the perfect fifth intervals derived in step 3.
If we place them side by side within the compass of an octave, here's
the outcome:
CG:
...plus EB:
...equals CEGB:
If you follow the same procedure, you can reproduce the major
seventh chord in all keys.
Final Words
I'm pretty sure that all what we explored in this course has presented
the major seventh chord to you in another light.
I'm also sure that you can define, break down (or analyze with
intervals), and form the major seventh chord using all the approaches
we covered.
Major Seventh
Chord
QUICK REFERENCE ON
MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS
Workbook
126 Exercises
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. DETERMINE THE
MAJOR THIRD INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE GIVEN.
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #1
Question:
Given the root note in the key of C, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #2
Question:
Given the root note in the key of F, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #3
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Bb, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #4
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Eb, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #5
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #6
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #7
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #8
Question:
Given the root note in the key of B, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #9
Question:
Given the root note in the key of E, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #10
Question:
Given the root note in the key of A, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #11
Question:
Given the root note in the key of D, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #12
Question:
Given the root note in the key of G, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #13
Question:
Given the root note in the key of C, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #14
Question:
Given the root note in the key of G, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #15
Question:
Given the root note in the key of D, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #16
Question:
Given the root note in the key of A, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #17
Question:
Given the root note in the key of E, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #18
Question:
Given the root note in the key of B, dot the major
3rd.
Answer:
Question #19
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #20
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
Question #21
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
major 3rd.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE TO DETERMINE THE
PERFECT FIFTH INTERVAL OF THE NOTE GIVEN.
Question: Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #22
Question: Given the root note in the key of C, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #23
Question: Given the root note in the key of F, dot the
th
Perfect 5.
Answer:
Question #24
Question: Given the root note in the key of Bb, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #25
Question: Given the root note in the key of Eb, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #26
Question: Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #27
Question: Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #28
Question: Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #29
Question: Given the root note in the key of B, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #30
Question: Given the root note in the key of E, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #31
Question: Given the root note in the key of A, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #32
Question: Given the root note in the key of D, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #33
Question: Given the root note in the key of G, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #34
Question: Given the root note in the key of C, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #35
Question: Given the root note in the key of G, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #36
Question: Given the root note in the key of D, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #37
Question: Given the root note in the key of A, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #38
Question: Given the root note in the key of E, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #39
Question: Given the root note in the key of B, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #40
Question: Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #41
Question: Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
Question #42
Question: Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
Perfect 5th.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE TO IDENTIFY THE
MAJOR SEVENTH INTERVAL OF THE NOTE GIVEN.
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #43
Question:
Given the root note in the key of C, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #44
Question:
Given the root note in the key of F, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #45
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Bb, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #46
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Eb, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #47
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #48
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #49
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #50
Question:
Given the root note in the key of B, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #51
Question:
Given the root note in the key of E, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #52
Question:
: Given the root note in the key of A, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #53
Question:
: Given the root note in the key of D, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #54
Question:
: Given the root note in the key of G, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #55
Question:
Given the root note in the key of C, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #56
Question:
Given the root note in the key of G, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #57
Question:
Given the root note in the key of D, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #58
Question:
Given the root note in the key of A, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #59
Question:
Given the root note in the key of E, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #60
Question:
Given the root note in the key of B, dot the Major
7th.
Answer:
Question #61
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Gb, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #62
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Db, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
Question #63
Question:
Given the root note in the key of Ab, dot the
Major 7th.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE MAJOR SCALE IN ANY
KEY TO FORM A MAJOR SEVENTH CHORD.
Question:
Given the major scale of Db, derive the Db Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #64
Question:
Given the major scale of C, derive the C Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #65
Question:
Given the major scale of F, derive the F Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #66
Question:
Given the major scale of Bb, derive the Bb Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #67
Question:
Given the major scale of Eb, derive the Eb Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #68
Question:
Given the major scale of Ab, derive the Ab Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #69
Question:
Given the major scale of Db, derive the Db Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #70
Question:
Given the major scale of Gb, derive the Gb Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #71
Question:
Given the major scale of B, derive the B Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #72
Question:
Given the major scale of E, derive the E Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #73
Question:
Given the major scale of A, derive the A Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #74
Question:
Given the major scale of D, derive the D Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #75
Question:
Given the major scale of G, derive the G Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #76
Question:
Given the major scale of C, derive the C Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #77
Question:
Given the major scale of G, derive the G Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #78
Question:
Given the major scale of D, derive the D Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #79
Question:
Given the major scale of A, derive the A Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #80
Question:
Given the major scale of E, derive the Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #81
Question:
Given the major scale of B, derive the B Major 7th
chord.
Answer:
Question #82
Question:
Given the major scale of Gb, derive the Gb Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #83
Question:
Given the major scale of Db, derive the Db Major
7th chord.
Answer:
Question #84
Question:
Given the major scale of Ab, derive the Ab Major
7th chord.
Answer:
THE MAJOR SEVENTH CHORD IS MADE UP OF
TWO MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE INTERVALS. YOU WILL
BE GIVEN THE ROOT AND FIFTH IN ANY KEY TO
DETERMINE THE THIRD AND SEVENTH INTERVAL.
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Db,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #85
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of C,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #86
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of F,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #87
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Bb,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #88
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Eb,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #89
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Ab,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #90
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Db,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #91
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Gb,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #92
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of B,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #93
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of E,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #94
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of A,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #95
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of D,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #96
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of G,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #97
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of C,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #98
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of G,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #99
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of D,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #100
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of A,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #101
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of E,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #102
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of B,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #103
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Gb,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #104
Question:
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Db,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
Question #105
Question
Given the root and fifth interval in the key of Ab,
determine the third and seventh interval.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE THIRD AND SEVENTH IN
ANY KEY TO DETERMINE THE ROOT AND FIFTH
INTERVAL.
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Db, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #106
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
C, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #107
Question: Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
F, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #108
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Bb, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #109
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Eb, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #110
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Ab, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #111
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Db, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #112
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Gb, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #113
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
B, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #114
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
E, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #115
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
A, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #116
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
D, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #117
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
G, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #118
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
C, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #119
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
G, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #120
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
D, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #121
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
A, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #122
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
E, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #123
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
B, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #124
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Gb, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #125
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Db, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #126
Question:
Given the third and seventh interval in the key of
Ab, determine the root and fifth interval.
Answer:
Major
Triads
QUICK REFERENCE ON
MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS
Workbook
126 Answers
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
1 ‐ 21
Answer #1
Answer #2
Answer #3
Answer #4
Answer #5
Answer #6
Answer #7
Answer #8
Answer #9
Answer #10
Answer #11
Answer #12
Answer #13
Answer #14
Answer #15
Answer #16
Answer #17
Answer #18
Answer #19
Answer #20
Answer #21
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
22 ‐ 42
Answer #22
Answer #23
Answer #24
Answer #25
Answer #26
Answer #27
Answer #28
Answer #29
Answer #30
Answer #31
Answer #32
Answer #33
Answer #34
Answer #35
Answer #36
Answer #37
Answer #38
Answer #39
Answer #40
Answer #41
Answer #42
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
43 ‐ 63
Answer #43
Answer #44
Answer #45
Answer #46
Answer #47
Answer #48
Answer #49
Answer #50
Answer #51
Answer #52
Answer #53
Answer #54
Answer #55
Answer #56
Answer #57
Answer #58
Answer #59
Answer #60
Answer #61
Answer #62
Answer #63
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
64 ‐ 84
Answer #64
Answer #65
Answer #66
Answer #67
Answer #68
Answer #69
Answer #70
Answer #71
Answer #72
Answer #73
Answer #74
Answer #75
Answer #76
Answer #77
Answer #78
Answer #79
Answer #80
Answer #81
Answer #82
Answer #83
Answer #84
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
85 ‐ 105
Answer #85
Answer #86
Answer #87
Answer #88
Answer #89
Answer #90
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Answer #106
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Answer #125
Answer #126