How to use seventh chords
in modern music

Seventh chords are a fantastic way to add color to your music. They offer a richer, more complex sound than basic triads and can add depth to your productions. They’re commonly found in all kinds of genres – jazz, hip-hop, lo-fi, R&B, and even house music. Learning how to use seventh chords will make your tracks sound sophisticated and fresh. In this article, we’ll break down what seventh chords are, how to use them effectively in modern beat making, and provide practical tips for integrating them into your music. It’s time to add some color to your chords.

Jump to these sections:

• What is a seventh chord?
  • What does a 7 mean on a chord?
• Common types of seventh chords
  • Major 7 chords
  • Dominant 7 chords
  • Minor 7 chords
  • Diminished 7 chords
• How to use seventh chords in beat making
  • Write seventh chords with the Chord Tool in Kontakt 8
• Get started with seventh chords in your own music

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What is a seventh chord?

To benefit from the information in this article, you have to understand what a chord is and how to form one. We’ll run through this quickly now, but be sure to check out this article on harmony if you want to get a more in-depth look into this concept.

A chord is what happens when you play multiple notes at the same time. We have a standard way of making chords by taking alternating notes from a scale and stacking them on top of each other.

At its core, a seventh chord is a four-note chord built by stacking these intervals above a “root note” (that just means the note you’re starting with). While a basic triad consists of three notes (root, third, and fifth), a seventh chord adds a fourth note: a seventh interval above the root. This additional note adds colorful harmonic texture and opens up new possibilities for writing chord progressions and voice leading.

Let’s use the example of a C major scale to outline this idea. This scale has the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B in it. To get a C major triad, we’ll take the first note of the scale (C), skip the next note, use the one after that (E), and repeat with the next notes. Therefore the C major triad consists of the notes C, E, and G. That sounds like this:

To create a C major 7th chord, we simply follow the pattern one more time and add the seventh note of the scale: B. This gives us C, E, G, B. This new chord sounds like this:

The addition of a single note has significantly changed the feel of the chord, even though it has similar harmonic functionality to the basic triad.

You can also make new types of chords based on different modes.

What does 7 mean on a chord?

The “7” in a chord symbol simply indicates the presence of the seventh note above the root in the chord. Depending on the chord “quality” (that means whether the chord is major, minor, dominant, or diminished – among other qualities), the type of seventh can vary:

• Major 7th: A major seventh is 11 semitones above the root (like C to B).
• Minor 7th: A minor seventh is 10 semitones above the root (like C to Bb).
• Diminished 7th: A diminished seventh is 9 semitones above the root (like C to A. In classical theory, this note might be called “Bbb” as the letter name “B” should remain seven diatonic steps from the root).

If you’re feeling a bit lost on chord construction and intervals, check out this guide to music theory.

Common types of seventh chords

Let’s explore the most common types of seventh chords so that you can use them in your tracks. All of the chords we use will be in the key of C major to avoid the use of sharps and flats.

1. Major 7 chords

As we mentioned earlier, the major 7 chord is built on top of a major triad with a major seventh. It’s known for its dreamy, floating sound and provides a sense of lightness. Its structure includes the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh. A Cmaj7 chord consists of C, E, G, and B and sounds like this:

2. Dominant 7 chords

A dominant 7 chord is built on a major triad with a minor seventh on top, and is a cornerstone of Western music theory. This chord creates a lot of tension that can add a sense of drama to progressions. It is built with the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. A G7 chord (we don’t use “dominant” in the chord symbol) comprises the notes G, B, D, and F and it sounds like this:

This can also be referred to as a “flat 7 chord.”

3. Minor 7 chords

The minor 7 chord has a warm quality and is a favorite for many genres and styles of music. Built on a minor triad with a minor seventh, it’s made up of the root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. An example is Am7, which contains the notes A, C, E, and G. It sounds like this:

4. Diminished 7 chords

The diminished 7 chord is dissonant and tense, and because of its tonal ambiguity, it can be used to change keys easily. Built on a diminished triad with a diminished seventh, it consists of the root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh. A Bdim7 chord is made up of B, D, F, and Ab and sounds like this:

Did you notice that the Ab note is not diatonic to the C major scale? Diminished chords require a diminished seventh interval, which is different from a flat seventh interval.

How to use seventh chords in beat making

Seventh chords can add harmonic richness and a more ambiguous tonality to your tracks. Here’s how to integrate them into your beat making process:

Start with the basics by creating a simple triad. For example, in your DAW, use the piano roll to input the notes C, E, and G to create a C major chord. To turn it into a seventh chord, add the seventh interval above the root – B in this case. Try experimenting with the seventh by lowering it a semitone and exploring the different tonal colors it creates.

Listen to how Jamie xx’s inclusion of seventh chords on “Baddy On The Floor ft. Honey Dijon” has colored the track:

This track uses a very basic chord progression, but the seventh chords adds a “jazziness” to the sound.

Experiment with inversions by rearranging the order of the notes in your chords. This can provide smoother transitions between chords.

Halfway through “ST. CHROMA,” Tyler, The Creator introduces smooth inversions of seventh chords that add depth to the seemingly simple melody:

Write seventh chords with the Chord Tool in Kontakt 8

Understanding theory is important when making intentional choices in your music, but sometimes you just want to dive straight into beat making. That’s where Kontakt 8’s Chord Tool comes in. This new feature lets you explore and create complex chord progressions with ease. It’s perfect for when inspiration strikes and you don’t want to overthink.

To get started, load your favorite sample library in Kontakt and click the Tool button in the top left corner of the window. From there, select the Chord Tool and load up a library.

Once it’s ready, you can experiment by randomizing chords or selecting specific ones to suit your track. After just a few minutes of exploration, we crafted this progression simply by playing a few root notes:

Get started with seventh chords in your own music

Seventh chords are a great way to add complexity and color to your productions. By understanding their construction and experimenting with different kinds of 7 chords, you can create interesting harmonic progressions and movements. Start exploring seventh chords today with Komplete Start and Kontakt 8’s Chord Tool.

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