Seventh chords, named for the added seventh scale degree stacked on top of a major triad or minor triad, are well-loved for good reason. These chords are used across all genres of music, tracing roots back to jazz and blues. 7th chords add depth and dimension to any musical composition, making them a great addition to any song.

Fortunately, we've put together a walkthrough guide so that you can start incorporating seventh chords into your music even if you haven't built one before. Below, we'll share how and when to use 7th chords, along with some top songs using these power chord formations.

Understanding Seventh Chords

Most chords start as a triad, meaning they contain three notes. A "seventh" or 7th chord contains four notes - usually a base major triad or minor triad, along with the seventh scale degree stacked on top. There are different configurations of seventh chords like diminished seventh chords, dominant 7th chords, and half diminished seventh chords.

These chords add a lot of depth to the typical triad, making them ubiquitous across various genres of music.

Examples of Songs that Use Seventh Chords

To hear the seventh chord is to understand the power within them. Here are a couple of famous songs that utilize seventh chords in their progressions:

Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas and The Papas

This classic, dreamy tune gets its wistful feel from the seventh notes sprinkled throughout its chord progressions:

Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

You can hear the power of dominant chords like the E dominant 7th chord in the beautiful song Hallelujah :

Hey Jude by The Beatles

Everyone knows this quintessential Beatles song, but did you know that this song contains plenty of seventh chords? The added seventh degree on the A major chord leads brilliantly back into the tonic, D Major chord:

How to Create Seventh Chords

Creating a seventh chord is easy! Just follow these basic patterns to create a major seventh chord, minor seventh chord, dominant seventh chord, or the half diminished seventh chord:

Major Chord Structure

To create a major seventh chord, you need to combine a major triad with a major seventh. So, if the C Major scale is C D E F G A B, a C major 7th chord would be C E G B.

Minor Chord Structure

To create a minor seventh chord, stack a minor chord triad with a minor seventh. For instance, you can make a D minor chord a D minor seventh by adding the seventh scale degree making the chord D F A C.

The Dominant Seventh Chord

A dominant seventh chord combines a major chord triad with a minor seventh scale degree. The dominant seventh is popular because it naturally pulls toward the root note of the chord progression. A C Dominant 7th chord would be C E G Bb.

The Half Diminished Seventh Chord

The half-diminished seventh chord combines a diminished triad and a minor seventh. If we take a C diminished triad (Cb Eb Gb) and combine it with a Bb, we would get a C half-diminished seventh chord.

How Do I Know When to Use 7th Chords?

Not sure when to use 7th chords? Here are a couple of scenarios in which it might make sense to add on a seventh on top of your major third or minor third:

• Spicing Up a Chord Progression: 7th chords can take any progression and add interest beyond the typical triad pattern. Experiment with transforming your typical chords to seventh chords and see how it sounds.
• Pulling Back to the Tonic: The seventh scale degree helps pull back to the tonic in both the minor and major scale patterns. Try putting a seventh chord at the end of your chord progression to help the pattern feel more cohesive.
• Resolution: Seventh chords, when placed before a tonic or dominant chord can be excellent leaders towards harmonic resolution. Use seventh chords in transition, whether that's from one song section to the next or when switching keys.

7th Chords FAQ

Expand your understanding of seventh chords through these frequently asked questions and answers:

When should you use 7th chords?

You can use seventh chords in a variety of situations. 7th chords are a great addition to any chord progression, but they can also be used to provide resolution or assist in transitions from one section of a song to the next.

What feeling do 7th chords give?

The added 7th note provides a feeling of anticipation and depth to any major or minor chord. These chords have more emotion and feeling than your typical triad.

What are dominant 7 chords used for?

The dominant seventh chord is often used as a leading chord to the tonic or root chord of a progression. You'll often hear dominant 7th chords in the context of jazz and blues music, though they are used across genres.

How to use the seventh chord?

The seventh chord can be used in many different contexts, whether that's a part of a jazz chord progression or leading to resolution or the start of a chord progression. The seventh in the seventh chord naturally pulls back to the tonic of any key, creating a strong relationship between the seventh chord and the establishing tonic chord.

Seventh chords are an excellent addition to any musical composition and are fantastic tools for improvisation and riffing. Have fun transforming your basic minor or major chords and creating groovy, complex depth with the power of the seventh.