Minor seventh chord
Encyclopedia
In music
, a minor seventh chord is any nondominant seventh chord
where the "third
" note is a minor third
above the root
.
Most typically, minor seventh chord refers to where the "seventh" note is a minor seventh
above the root (a fifth
above the third note). This is more precisely known as a minor/minor seventh chord, and it can be represented as either as m7 or -7, or in integer notation, {0, 3, 7, 10}. In a natural minor scale
, this chord is on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant degrees. In a harmonic minor scale, this chord is on the subdominant degrees. In an ascending melodic minor scale, this chord is on the supertonic
degree. In a major scale
, this chord is on the second (supertonic seventh), third (mediant
) or sixth (submediant
) degrees. For instance the ii7 in the ii-V-I turnaround.
When the seventh note is a major seventh
above the root, it is called a minor/major seventh chord
. Its harmonic function is similar to that of a "normal" minor seventh, as is the minor seven flat five or half-diminished
chord – but in each case, the altered tone (seventh or fifth, respectively) creates a different feel which is exploited in modulations
and to utilize leading-tone
s.
The just
minor seventh chord is tuned in the ratios 10:12:15:18. This may be found on iii, vi, and vii. Another tuning may be in the ratios 48:40:32:27.
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, a minor seventh chord is any nondominant seventh chord
Nondominant seventh chord
In music theory, a nondominant seventh chord is a chord which is a diatonic chord that is a seventh chord but that does not possess dominant function and thus is not a dominant seventh chord....
where the "third
Third (chord)
In music, the third factor of a chord is the note or pitch two scale degrees above the root or tonal center. When the third is the bass note, or lowest note, of the expressed triad, the chord is in first inversion ....
" note is a minor third
Minor third
In classical music from Western culture, a third is a musical interval encompassing three staff positions , and the minor third is one of two commonly occurring thirds. The minor quality specification identifies it as being the smallest of the two: the minor third spans three semitones, the major...
above the root
Root (chord)
In music theory, the root of a chord is the note or pitch upon which a triadic chord is built. For example, the root of the major triad C-E-G is C....
.
Most typically, minor seventh chord refers to where the "seventh" note is a minor seventh
Minor seventh
In classical music from Western culture, a seventh is a musical interval encompassing seven staff positions , and the minor seventh is one of two commonly occurring sevenths. The minor quality specification identifies it as being the smallest of the two: the minor seventh spans ten semitones, the...
above the root (a fifth
Perfect fifth
In classical music from Western culture, a fifth is a musical interval encompassing five staff positions , and the perfect fifth is a fifth spanning seven semitones, or in meantone, four diatonic semitones and three chromatic semitones...
above the third note). This is more precisely known as a minor/minor seventh chord, and it can be represented as either as m7 or -7, or in integer notation, {0, 3, 7, 10}. In a natural minor scale
Minor scale
A minor scale in Western music theory includes any scale that contains, in its tonic triad, at least three essential scale degrees: 1) the tonic , 2) a minor-third, or an interval of a minor third above the tonic, and 3) a perfect-fifth, or an interval of a perfect fifth above the tonic, altogether...
, this chord is on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant degrees. In a harmonic minor scale, this chord is on the subdominant degrees. In an ascending melodic minor scale, this chord is on the supertonic
Supertonic
In music or music theory, the supertonic is the second degree or note of a diatonic scale, one step above the tonic. In music theory, the supertonic chord is symbolized by the Roman numeral ii in a major scale, indicating that the chord is a minor chord , or ii in a natural minor scale, indicating...
degree. In a major scale
Major scale
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, ", the "Do" in the parenthesis at...
, this chord is on the second (supertonic seventh), third (mediant
Mediant
In music, the mediant is the third scale degree of the diatonic scale, being the note halfway between the tonic and the dominant. Similarly, the submediant is halfway between the tonic and subdominant...
) or sixth (submediant
Submediant
In music, the submediant is the sixth scale degree of the diatonic scale, the 'lower mediant' halfway between the tonic and the subdominant or 'lower dominant'...
) degrees. For instance the ii7 in the ii-V-I turnaround.
When the seventh note is a major seventh
Major seventh
In classical music from Western culture, a seventh is a musical interval encompassing seven staff positions , and the major seventh is one of two commonly occurring sevenths. It is qualified as major because it is the larger of the two...
above the root, it is called a minor/major seventh chord
Minor major seventh chord
A minor major seventh chord, or minor/major seventh chord is a naturally occurring diatonic nondominant seventh chord in the harmonic minor scale. The chord is built on a root, and above that the intervals of a minor third, a major third above that note and above that a major third...
. Its harmonic function is similar to that of a "normal" minor seventh, as is the minor seven flat five or half-diminished
Half-diminished seventh chord
In music theory, the half-diminished seventh chord is created by taking the root, minor third, diminished fifth and minor seventh of any major scale; for example, C half-diminished is . Its consecutive intervals are minor 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd...
chord – but in each case, the altered tone (seventh or fifth, respectively) creates a different feel which is exploited in modulations
Modulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
and to utilize leading-tone
Leading-tone
In music theory, a leading-note is a note or pitch which resolves or "leads" to a note one semitone higher or lower, being a lower and upper leading-tone, respectively....
s.
Minor/minor seventh chord table
| Chord | Root | Minor third | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cm7 | C | E | G | B |
| C | E | G | B | |
| D | F (E) | A | C (B) | |
| Dm7 | D | F | A | C |
| D | F | A | C | |
| E | G | B | D | |
| Em7 | E | G | B | D |
| Fm7 | F | A | C | E |
| F | A | C | E | |
| G | B (A) | D | F (E) | |
| Gm7 | G | B | D | F |
| G | B | D | F | |
| A | C (B) | E | G | |
| Am7 | A | C | E | G |
| A | C | E (F) | G | |
| B | D | F | A | |
| Bm7 | B | D | F | A |
The just
Just intonation
In music, just intonation is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by ratios of small whole numbers. Any interval tuned in this way is called a just interval. The two notes in any just interval are members of the same harmonic series...
minor seventh chord is tuned in the ratios 10:12:15:18. This may be found on iii, vi, and vii. Another tuning may be in the ratios 48:40:32:27.