7.14 Chord symbols
| Category: Harmony | Tags: Chord symbols, Chords |
Theory
In Chapter 7.13 The seven types of seventh chords you’ve learned seven types of seventh chords and how they are called. In this chapter you will learn how these seventh chords are notated with chord symbols.
Chord symbols
In Chapter 6.13 Chord symbols you’ve learned how augmented and diminished triads are notated with chord symbols. However, these symbols are also used for augmented and diminished seventh chords, it is not always clear whether a triad or a seventh chord is being indicated.
Chord symbols |
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| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
| AΔ | A major seventh chord | A C# E G# |
| Amaj7 | A major seventh chord | A C# E G# |
| AmΔ | A minor major seventh chord | A C E G# |
| Am#7 | A minor major seventh chord | A C E G# |
| Am7 | A minor seventh chord | A C E G |
| Aø | A half-diminished seventh chord | A C Eb G |
| Am7(b5) | A half-diminished seventh chord | A C Eb G |
| A0 | A half-diminished seventh chord | A C Eb G |
| Ao | A diminished seventh chord | A C Eb Gb |
| Adim7 | A diminished seventh chord | A C Eb Gb |
| A- | A diminished seventh chord | A C Eb Gb |
| A+maj7 | A augmented seventh chord | A C# E# G# |
| AΔ(#5) | A augmented seventh chord | A C# E# G# |
| A7sus | A dominant seventh chord with a fourth instead of a third |
A D E G |
Examples
Summary
Chord symbols
- Major seventh chord: AΔ, Amaj7
- Minor-major seventh chord: AmΔ, Am#7
- Minor seventh chord: Am7
- Halfdiminished seventh chord: Aø, Am7(b5), A0
- Diminished seventh chord: Ao, Adim7, A-
- Augmented seventh chord: A+maj7, AΔ(#5)
- Dominant seventh chord with a fourth instead of a third: A7sus