7th Chords

7th Chords can be classified into 3 different categories. Dominant  7, Major 7 and Minor 7. Dominant 7 chords are indicated by writing 7 next to the Root note eg; G7. Major 7 chords are indicated by writing M7 next to the Root or a triangle Δ eg; GM7 or GΔ & the Minor 7 chord is indicated by writing m7 (small caps) next to the Root eg; Gm7. Each chord has a unique ring to it. Dominant 7 chords are used significantly in Blues, Funk and Country whereas Major7 and Minor7 are used to substitute a basic Major or Minor chord which are found in quite a few Pop, Soft Rock and Acoustic Music.

Chord Progressions using Dominant 7th Chords

The progressions have been written below by using the I-IV-V chords in each key and substituting it with the dominant 7.

1)   C7 | F7 | G7 | C7 

2)   G7 | C7 | D7 | G7 

3)   D7 | G7 | A7 | D7

4)   A7 | D7 | E7 | A7

5)   E7 |A7 | B7 | E7

6)   B7 | E7 | F#7 | B7

7)   F#7 | B7 | C#7 | F#7

8)   C#7 |F#7 | G#7 | C#7

9)   F7 | Bb7 | C7 | F7

10)  Bb7 | Eb7 | F7 | Bb7

11)  Eb7 | Ab7 | Bb7 | Eb7

12) Ab7 | Db7 | Eb7 | Ab7

Progressions using M7 - m7 - 7

1) CM7 - Dm7 - FM7 - G7 - Key of C

2) GM7 - Em7 - Am7 - D7 - Key of G

3) DM7 - Bm7 - GM7 - A7 - Key of D

4) AM7 - C#m7 - DM7 - E7 - Key of A

5) EM7 - AM7 - F#m7 - B7 - Key of E

Try combining all the chords that you have learnt until now, making sure you stay in Key. Notice how the easy progressions you learnt in the major/minor chords page have been substituted here with 7ths !!

Tip - Change the V chord to a dominant 7th so that it stays in key eg; in the Key of C the V chord is G.