Q. Could somebody please explain sevenths to me a little bit more, major seventh, minor seventh and dominant seventh. I really seem to lack understanding of this. For dominant seventh i just add 3 semi tones, but i dont think thats a good way to learn it ? .. i've heared your suppose to learn it through keys, for example if somebody says play 1, 5, 1, 3 in c major scale, you would play, cmajor, gmajor, cmajor and Emajor, and if somebody said play 2, you play Dminor? .. im really starting to confuse myself. So back to my original question, can someone please explain all the forms of maj7 using maybe c, cmaj7 all the ways to form that and whats the rules for it etc.. same with cmin7, please just explain this as best you can :) ... sorry if my question was abit hard for you to understand but thanks :D
A. Major seventh:
This is the interval of 11 semitones. So from a C to a B, that's a major seventh.
Minor seventh:
This is the interval of 10 semitones. So from a C to a Bb, that's a minor seventh.
Dominant Seventh:
See, in a scale, say for example, C major, each triad has a corresponding triadic function. The C is the Tonic (I), D - supertonic (ii), E - mediant (iii), F - subdominant (IV), G - dominant (V), A - submediant (vi), B - leading tone (viio), then to the tonic once more. The capital letters and the small letters correspond to major and minor chords. Capital letters for major, and small letters for minor.
Dominant seventh, you add a seventh to the dominant chord. That's a G in this case. You add the minor seventh here. So this chord is G-B-D-F.
You do not always play major chords. If it is in C major, D, and E are minor and B is diminished. In that example you gave, you play I V(7) I iii. C, G(7), C, Em. Unless it goes to the dominant of C major, G major, then you may be allowed to play a D major.
You need to at least know which key you are in so you know if you are to play a major or a minor.
classical piano compisition?
Q. I have to write a piano composition by Feb. 1st, and I have no idea what to write. Does anyone have any ideas? It has to be a minimum of 8 measures, and I want it to be pretty and flowing; no waltzs. Give possible chords/intervals/keys that would sound good. Please and Thank You!
A. You will need a good melody. The best melodies in the world revolve around the pentatonic scale (the black notes of the piano). In the key of C this is C, D, E G, A. Make your melody as stepwise as possible (use intervals of a 2nd). Your melody notes should match your chords beneath it. For a simple chord progression try these chords: C, F, G, C. This will take up 4 measures by itself which we can call "section A". Perhaps then repeat this 4 measure phrase with a slight variation in the melody and you're done or extend it longer with a B section that then returns to the original idea (A section).
Keith
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Best way to learn piano chords?
Q. I've got my major scale down and I'm starting to understand the basics of music theory. But learning all of these chords seems really overwhelming. I understand triads and the formula that goes with them to create minors and all. But what about larger chords. What is the best approach to learning those? Should I pick a new chord everyday and play it up and down the scale and play the chord in every note? What would you say are the best steps to take?
A. Short answer: Jazz.
Long answer: Every chord, and I mean every chord, has a name. The first step to learning chords is learning intervals. In numbers, that is. That is, G is C's 5. Then, you have to be fluent in the difference between major and minor intervals, and diminished and augmented intervals. Then, you have to learn the skeleton structure of each chord. In numbers, that is. For example, the skeleton structure of a 7 chord is 1, 3, 5, 7. What, in the name of the chord, precedes "7th" determines the minor, major, diminished, or augmented status of each of those numbers. Then, you have to learn about inversions. For instance, instead of 1 3 5 7, you play 5, 7, 1, 3. Then, you have to PRACTICE. The names are just that, names. There is no substitute for experimenting with the chords on your own instrument. I wish you good luck.
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