Last week we discussed a different way of looking at how chords within one key are created by showing a matrix of notes, with each row starting with the next degree (note) of the scale. We then applied a chord interval formula of (1-3-5) to each degree and found out that not all resulting chords were Major chords, we found Minor chords and a Diminished chord in the mix. Additionally we showed some chord formulas which showed Major chord forms. Today we are going to speak about adding additional notes to the harmonization of the scalar notes to come up with new sounds.
Now that you are familar with the 1-3-5 intervals let's now add the 7th to these chord shapes. This opens up a whole new study I call the study of 7ths. The study of 7ths is really summed up in one word 'Jazz'. Some of you might be saying 'yuck' others may be saying 'all right'. Jazz takes on so many different forms that it truely does have the gammut of sounding pleasant to sounding very dischordant. So the opinions on Jazz are warranted. Without discussing the all important concepts of tension and release (which we'll cover later) let's just show how to build chords with 7ths in them.
C D E F G A B C - 1-3-5-7 = C E G B = CM7 = C MAJOR 7TH
D E F G A B C D - 1-3-5-7 = D F A C = Dm7 = D minor 7TH
E F G A B C D E - 1-3-5-7 = E G B D = Em7 = E minor 7TH
F G A B C D E F - 1-3 5-7 = F A C E = FM7 = F Major 7TH
G A B C D E F G - 1-3-5-7 = G B D F = G7 = G 7TH (Dominant)
A B C D E F G A - 1-3-5-7 = A C E G = Am7 = A minor 7TH
B C D E F G A B - 1-3-5-7 = B-D-F-A = B Dim7 or Bm7-b5 or B half Dim.
Here's a list of links showing chord patterns for these notes
C MAJOR 7TH - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS D MINOR 7 - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS E MINOR 7 - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS F MAJOR 7 - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS G MAJOR 7 - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS A MINOR 7 - Google Image Search
GUITAR CHORDS B DIM - Google Image Search
Now that we've created the chord notes for each chord above let's discuss the 5th degree in our matrix above. The chord is called G7 which is different than G Major 7 or GM7. What are the intervals?
G-B-D-F
G to B = 2 steps = the 1,3 interval
G to D = 3 1/2 steps = the 1,5
G to F = b7th what?
In the key of G (not C) the notes are
G A B C D E F# G
The 7th note is F#, in the key of G so the flatted 7th is F#
The chord spelling is now.
1-3-5-b7 with respect to the key of G.
Flat 7th notes are a new concept, unlike a 7th chord in a Major key which is one of the most pleasant sounding chords known. The flat 7th chord creates a harsher sound. Therefore it is known as the Dominant seventh because it dominates the sound. This is your first exposure to the Dominant seventh chord family. It will be discussed in more detail later.
In our next lesson, we'll discuss 'color tones' and give some new ideas for 'spicing up' your songs.
Here's some other links:
Seventh chord - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guitar Jam Machine
This site is really cool, it allows you to write a song using a guitar keyboard by creating chords. Using the theroy we've covered here, why not try to create your own song, using a mixture of Major, Minor, Seventh, Major Seventh, Minor Seventh and the 7b5 chords. Not that you can't go wrong as long as the chords are all constructed off of the base key, which up to now has only been the key of C major. You now have 7 different chords for every song you write based off of the first, third and fifth note of each degree, then you have 7 more based off of the first, third, fifth and seventh degrees. This gives you 14 chords for one key each chord belonging to that key. 14 chords for a song gives you a wide variety of chords in your tool box so that you can create unique and interesting music. Have Fun!