Guitar Seventh Chords: Adding Depth and Flavor to Your Guitar Playing

If you’re looking to enrich your guitar playing and add a layer of sophistication to your music, exploring Guitar Seventh Chords is a fantastic step. Seventh chords are often the secret weapon for musicians aiming to inject extra emotion and complexity into their songs. They elevate simple chord progressions and bring a touch of class to various musical styles.

In this guide, we will:

Clearly define what seventh chords are in the context of guitar music.
Delve into the diverse qualities and types of seventh chords.
Explore the unique sounds and emotional colors each type provides.
Provide practical guidance on how to play seventh chords on guitar with easy-to-understand diagrams.

Whether you are a seasoned guitarist seeking to expand your harmonic palette or a beginner eager to understand the nuances behind richer sounding music, you’ve come to the right place to master guitar seventh chords.

Understanding the Basics: Triads

For those who are completely new to chord construction, it might be beneficial to first familiarize yourself with triads. We have a dedicated article on mastering triads which you can find here mastering triads.

For everyone else, here’s a quick recap of the essentials:

A triad is formed when three distinct notes are harmoniously combined.
Typically, these notes are derived from a diatonic scale, such as the major scale.
For instance, by taking the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes from the C major scale (C, E, G), we construct a C major chord – a fundamental triad!

Triads are the foundational building blocks for all chords, and they exist in four primary qualities or ‘flavors’:

Major: Built using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of the major scale (1, 3, 5).
Minor: Built using the 1st, flat 3rd, and 5th degrees of the major scale (1, b3, 5).
Augmented: Built using the 1st, 3rd, and sharp 5th degrees of the major scale (1, 3, #5).
Diminished: Built using the 1st, flat 3rd, and flat 5th degrees of the major scale (1, b3, b5).

These triads are the workhorses of countless chord progressions, forming the essential harmonic backbone of nearly every song you’ve ever enjoyed.

Among these, major triads, with their bright and cheerful sound, and minor triads, with their somber and melancholic character, are the most frequently encountered.

But what if we desire to express musical emotions that go beyond simple happiness or sadness? This is where guitar seventh chords become invaluable, allowing us to introduce an additional dimension of complexity and harmonic richness to our musical expression.

What Are Guitar Seventh Chords?

Guitar seventh chords, as their name implies, are built by adding a seventh note from the scale to a triad – essentially extending the triad formula to 1, 3, 5, and 7.

This additional ‘seventh’ note introduces an extra layer of harmony, creating a richer, more complex sound compared to basic triads.
Seventh chords are a go-to choice for guitarists and composers seeking to add sophistication and depth to their chord progressions.

The ‘seventh’ note can vary in quality (major, minor, or diminished), and this variation is what defines the specific type of seventh chord, each with its unique sonic flavor.

Exploring Different Types of Guitar Seventh Chords

There are five main types of guitar seventh chords, with the first three being the most commonly used in popular music. Understanding these different types is key to effectively using seventh chords in your guitar playing.

Major Seventh (maj7): Constructed with the formula 1, 3, 5, 7 (major seventh interval).
Dominant Seventh (7): Constructed with the formula 1, 3, 5, b7 (minor seventh interval).
Minor Seventh (m7): Constructed with the formula 1, b3, 5, b7 (minor seventh interval).
Half-Diminished Seventh (m7b5): Constructed with the formula 1, b3, b5, b7 (minor seventh interval).
Diminished Seventh (°7): Constructed with the formula 1, b3, b5, bb7 (diminished seventh interval).

Below is a helpful chart illustrating the specific notes for each type of C seventh chord. Visualizing these notes can help you understand the construction of each chord type.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about playing these chords on your guitar, don’t worry! We will guide you through practical shapes and techniques to play them effectively in the following sections.

The Sound and Emotion of Seventh Chords

Each type of guitar seventh chord possesses a distinct sonic color and evokes different emotions. Mastering these chords is like adding different colors to your musical palette, allowing you to express a wider range of feelings and nuances in your guitar playing.

From the warm and inviting sound of a major seventh to the tense and mysterious quality of a diminished seventh, these chords are powerful tools for conveying emotion and crafting compelling musical narratives.

Here’s a guide to help you understand the mood each type of seventh chord can create:

Major Seventh Chords (maj7): Elegance and Dreaminess

Major seventh chords are celebrated for their sophisticated, gentle, and almost dreamy sound.

A maj7 chord is created by adding a major seventh interval above the root of a major triad.
They are frequently used in jazz, bossa nova, and pop music to impart a sense of elegance and refinement to a chord progression. Think of the sophisticated harmonic textures in jazz standards or the smooth sounds of bossa nova.

Dominant Seventh Chords (7): Bluesy Power and Tension

Dominant seventh chords have a powerful, bluesy, and slightly edgy character. They introduce a sense of tension that often resolves to a tonic chord, making them harmonically functional and emotionally expressive.

They consist of a major triad with the addition of a minor seventh interval.
You’ll find them extensively in blues, rock, funk, and as dominant chords in countless progressions across genres. Dominant sevenths are essential for the characteristic sound of blues riffs and rock rhythms.

Minor Seventh Chords (m7): Soulful Reflection and Melancholy

Minor seventh chords offer a mellow, reflective, and soulful quality. They are introspective and emotionally resonant, often suggesting contemplation or gentle sadness.

An m7 chord is formed by adding a minor seventh interval to a minor triad.
They are commonly featured in R&B, funk, soul, and ballads, creating a smooth and emotionally rich atmosphere. Listen to R&B classics to hear how minor sevenths contribute to their soulful mood.

Half-Diminished Seventh Chords (m7♭5 or half-diminished): Intrigue and Transition

Half-diminished seventh chords bring a sense of tension, complexity, and intrigue. They are often used to create harmonic movement and a feeling of anticipation.

These chords are constructed from a diminished triad with a minor seventh interval.
They are prevalent in jazz as transitional chords, often leading to minor chords or other points of resolution. Jazz musicians use half-diminished chords to add harmonic color and sophistication to their improvisations and compositions.

Diminished Seventh Chords (dim7): Suspense and Dissonance

Diminished seventh chords are characterized by their eerie, suspenseful, and highly dissonant quality. They create a strong sense of unease and are often used to evoke drama or tension.

They are formed by a diminished triad with a diminished seventh interval.
Frequently used in horror movie soundtracks, classical music to create dramatic effects, and in jazz for moments of extreme tension and release. Think of the dramatic and unsettling sounds in suspenseful film scores.

In the following section, we will explore where you can find these versatile seventh chords in the vast and varied landscape of music, from intimate jazz clubs to chart-topping pop hits.

Where to Hear Seventh Chords in Music

Whether you’re immersed in a smooth jazz saxophone solo, feeling the soulful depth of a blues vocal, or dancing to a catchy pop song on the radio, guitar seventh chords are likely playing a significant role in shaping your musical experience. They are incredibly versatile and appear across a wide spectrum of genres.

Jazz, Neo-Soul, and Lofi Hip Hop: The Essence of Chill

The relaxed, laid-back, and sophisticated vibe that defines genres like jazz, neo-soul, and lofi hip hop often stems directly from the use of seventh chords.

Seventh chords are foundational to jazz harmony and all its related subgenres. They create the lush, complex soundscapes that are characteristic of these styles, transporting listeners to a relaxed and contemplative space.
They contribute to the smooth, jazzy harmonies that are essential in creating a chill and sophisticated atmosphere.

Explore our collection of neo-soul chord progressions to delve deeper into this sound.

Blues and Rock’n’Roll: Dominant Power

Classic rock’n’roll and blues music heavily rely on dominant seventh chords, in particular, for their energetic and driving sound.

From slow, soulful blues ballads to upbeat, foot-stomping rock shuffles, these energetic styles would lose much of their characteristic drive and flavor without dominant sevenths.
Legendary musicians like Chuck Berry, B.B. King, and countless others captivated audiences with riffs and solos powered by dominant seventh chords.

Soulful R&B: Minor Seventh Grooves

In the world of R&B, minor 7th chords are essential for setting a cool, smooth, and soulful tone.

They create a velvety, emotionally resonant atmosphere, perfectly suited for love songs, ballads, and introspective tracks.
Artists such as Marvin Gaye, Alicia Keys, and D’Angelo masterfully utilize minor seventh chords to establish mood and enhance the emotional depth of their music.

If you’re interested in learning more about incorporating these sounds into your playing, check out our article on R&B guitar techniques.

Learning to Play Guitar Seventh Chords

Enough theory – let’s get practical and learn some essential guitar seventh chord shapes that you can start using right away! These shapes are organized by the string where the root note is located, making them easier to learn and apply across the fretboard.

A String Root Seventh Chords

Rooting chords on the A string provides a balanced sonic center on the guitar. These voicings are neither too low nor too high, making them versatile for various musical contexts.

You won’t be stepping on the bass player’s sonic territory with these shapes, allowing for a clear and defined overall sound in a band setting.

E String Root Seventh Chords

Voicings rooted on the low E string offer a beefier and fuller tone. These are particularly effective when playing solo guitar or when you want a strong, foundational sound in a mix.

D String Root Seventh Chords

Shapes rooted on the D string tend to be brighter and more articulate. These voicings are well-suited for snappy funk progressions and rhythm guitar parts where clarity and definition are desired.

Remember, the choice of which shape to use is ultimately up to you and depends on the specific musical context. These root positions are just starting points, and exploring different inversions and voicings will further expand your harmonic vocabulary.

Becoming comfortable playing all these seventh chord shapes will take dedicated practice. However, the effort is incredibly worthwhile as it will unlock a vast world of possibilities for both creating and performing music on the guitar.

Let’s explore some concrete musical examples of seventh chords in well-known songs to further inspire you and demonstrate their application in real-world musical scenarios.

Seventh Chords in Popular Songs: Examples

Let’s examine a few songs that beautifully incorporate seventh chords, with each example progressively increasing in harmonic complexity. These examples span various genres, demonstrating the broad applicability of seventh chords.

Whether your musical tastes lean towards jazz, rock, funk, or pop, you’ll discover seventh chords adding depth, character, and emotional resonance to countless timeless tunes.

We highly encourage you to find the guitar TABs or chord charts for these songs and try playing them yourself. This practical application is the best way to internalize the sound and feel of seventh chords.

Beginner: “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals

This iconic folk-rock song possesses a haunting and bluesy atmosphere, powerfully illustrating how even a single dominant seventh chord can inject significant character into a chord progression.

The song features a minor chord progression with a strategically placed dominant seventh chord to create harmonic tension and release.
Written in a 6/8 time signature and often arpeggiated on guitar, it’s a great song for practicing chord transitions and rhythmic playing.
If you’re familiar with basic open chords, “House of the Rising Sun” is a fantastic and accessible song to learn and practice seventh chords in a musical context.

Intermediate: “Summertime” – Ella Fitzgerald

This timeless jazz classic (originally composed by George Gershwin) is richly imbued with seventh chords – encompassing virtually all qualities of seventh chords.

Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition features a beautifully sparse arrangement, where her vocal phrasing elegantly outlines the underlying chord changes, creating a dreamy and deeply melancholic atmosphere.
“Summertime” has been covered countless times and remains a cornerstone of the jazz repertoire, showcasing the enduring appeal and harmonic richness of seventh chords in jazz.

Advanced: “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder

When it comes to sophisticated harmony and groove, Stevie Wonder is a true master. “Superstition” is a prime example of his genius in blending complex harmonies with infectious rhythms.

This funk classic is primarily driven by dominant seventh chords, which are crucial in establishing its iconic, irresistible, and danceable groove.
“Superstition” serves as an excellent illustration of how seventh chords can elevate funk music to new heights of rhythmic and harmonic complexity.
For those wanting to delve even deeper, the song also features tastefully incorporated #9 and #11 chord extensions, adding further layers of harmonic interest.

Expert: “Kind of Blue” – Miles Davis

For the truly adventurous and harmonically curious, Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue” album is an unparalleled masterpiece to explore.

This entire album is a landmark in jazz history, with numerous tracks showcasing diverse combinations of seventh chords, subtle key changes, and groundbreaking modal improvisation.

“Kind of Blue” offers an inexhaustible wealth of musical insights and harmonic sophistication, providing a lifetime of listening and learning for any aspiring guitarist interested in advanced seventh chord applications.

Conclusion: Unleash the Power of Seventh Chords

We’ve reached the end of our harmonic exploration of guitar seventh chords. Let’s quickly recap the key takeaways to solidify your understanding:

Guitar seventh chords are composed of four notes: the Root, 3rd, 5th, and the essential 7th!
There are five distinct qualities of seventh chords: major 7th (maj7), minor 7th (m7), dominant 7th (dom7 or simply 7), half-diminished 7th (m7b5), and diminished 7th (°7).
These chords are powerful tools for conveying a wide spectrum of emotions, from bright and dreamy to dark and moody, enriching your musical storytelling.
Seventh chords are indispensable in virtually every genre of music, making them essential knowledge for every guitarist aiming for harmonic depth and versatility.

Now that you have a deeper understanding of guitar seventh chords, it’s time to actively experiment with them in your own playing.

Whether you’re composing original music, arranging existing songs, improvising, or simply jamming, seventh chords will be your versatile companions, adding harmonic richness, emotional depth, and a professional polish to every note you play. Embrace the power of seventh chords and elevate your guitar playing to new expressive heights!

Author: Richard Spooner

Richard Spooner is a writer and musician originally from the UK. After studying contemporary guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, he toured the UK with various groups, playing styles ranging from acoustic to metal.

Richard’s diverse experience gigging, studying music, working in guitar stores, and managing rehearsal studios has given him valuable insight into guitar and what it means to be a working musician. Since 2019, he has been traveling and working as an editor for Pickup Music, while also contributing to Total Guitar, Killer Guitar Rigs, and Guitar Pro. After a decade of performing, he now enjoys creating songs, writing about guitar, and taking long walks on the beach.

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