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Basic Function of the Chords -
 

 

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What are 7th Chords?

Seventh chords are "stacks" of 4 notes, in which the bottom note (the root), pertains an interval of a major, minor, or diminished seventh to the top note (the seventh of the chord). To build seventh chords, simply take a triad (e.g. Dominant) and add an extra note on top (in this case, F, which has a minor seventh relationship with the root).

The common seventh chords used in classical music include the Supertonic Seventh (II7), Subdominant Seventh (IV7), Dominant Seventh (V7), Submediant Seventh (VI7), and the Leading Note Seventh (VII7 or VII°7).

The Leading Note Seventh Chord

The Leading Note Seventh Chord is used as a substitution for the Dominant triad and the Dominant seventh. In advanced harmonic techniques, it can also be used as an enharmonic chord (a chord that plays the same sounds but writes differently, e.g. C sharp can also be written as B flat) to modulate to another key.

The Functions of other Seventh Chords

Chord

 

Function

Supertonic Seventh (II7)

Dominant Preparation - must go to either Dominant triad or Dominant Seventh

Subdominant Seventh (IV7)

Usually used in minor keys, to prepare to go to Dominant

Dominant Seventh (V7)

Symbol of Excitement - even more exciting than the Dominant triad because it contains the seventh (scale degree 4)

Submediant Seventh (VI7)

Substitution of the Tonic - used when the music doesn't want to go to Tonic but still wants to rest

C major (C+):

Seventh Chords in C major

C minor (C-):

Seventh Chords in C minor

ATTENTION: We never use the Tonic Seventh chord!!!!!!! It's EVIL!!!

Click here to continue with the V9 and V13 chords.

 

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