8.9 Seventh chords and scale degrees

Theory

In this chapter, you will learn which types of seventh chords are found in the major scale and in the natural, harmonic and melodic minor scale. You can practise this in the exercise. You will also learn to distinguish these seventh chords by ear.

1. Seventh chords in the major scale

Seventh chords built on the seven scale degrees in the major scale.

 

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Examples

Which types of seventh chords are found in the major scale?

Major scale Degree Seventh chord I major seventh chord II minor seventh chord III minor seventh chord IV major seventh chord V dominant seventh chord VI minor seventh chord VII half-diminished seventh chord

2. Seventh chords in the natural minor scale

Seventh chords built on the seven scale degrees in the natural minor scale.

 

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Examples

Which types of seventh chords are found in the natural minor scale?

Minor scale Degree Seventh chord I minor seventh chord II half-diminished seventh chord III major seventh chord IV minor seventh chord V minor seventh chord VI major seventh chord VII dominant seventh chord

3. Seventh chords in the harmonic minor scale

Seventh chords built on the seven scale degrees in the harmonic minor scale.

 

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Examples

Which types of seventh chords are found in the harmonic minor scale?

Harmonic minor scale Degree Seventh chord I minor major seventh chord II half-diminished seventh chord III augmented seventh chord IV minor seventh chord V dominant seventh chord VI major seventh chord VII diminished seventh chord

4. Seventh chords in the melodic minor scale

Seventh chords built on the seven scale degrees in the melodic minor scale.

 

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Examples

Which types of seventh chords are found in the melodic minor scale?

Melodic minor scale Degree Seventh chord I minor major seventh chord II minor seventh chord III augmented seventh chord IV dominant seventh chord V dominant seventh chord VI half-diminished seventh chord VII diminished seventh chord

5. Practise

Harmony exercise 8k: practise which types of seventh chords are found on the scale degrees.

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6. Ear training

 

Practise

Ear Training exercise 8h: distinguishing the difference between all seventh chords in root position by ear.

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Example question

Which seventh chord do you hear?

Choise 1: major seventh chord

Choise 2: dominant seventh chord

Choise 3: minor major seventh chord

Choise 4: minor seventh chord

Choise 5: half-diminished seventh chord

Choise 6: diminished seventh chord

Choise 7: augmented seventh chord

 

Practical steps

Sing the seventh chord being played to form an idea of which seventh chord it might be. Decide which seventh chord is being played.

Answer: diminished seventh chord.