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The symbol
for Major 7th chords is "maj7"
Last time we
covered 7th chords. Today we're going to learn major 7th
chords -- only 1/2 step different, but a HUGE difference
in the sound and how they are used. 7th chords are extremely
common -- used in all kinds of music. Major 7th chords are
less common, and are generally used as "color chords"
to create a certain sound, a certain mood.
To form a major 7th chord, simply add the 7th degree of
the scale to the major triad. For example, you know that
the C major triad is C - E - G. You also know that the C
scale has 8 notes, the 7th of which is B. So by adding B
to the C major triad, we create a Cmaj7 chord:
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A Major 7th Chord = Root - 3rd
- 5th - 7th
Just
add the 7th
note of the scale to the major triad.
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Here's what Major 7th chords look like
on the staff:
All
12 Major 7th chords
(Remember that accidentals carry over in the same measure!)
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CHORD
SYMBOL DEFINITION
A
Major seventh chords
appears
in lead sheets as any of the following chord symbols:
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And
here's what they look like when played with your left hand
on the keyboard:
As usual, now it's up to you. Play each
maj7th chord in root position, then 1st inversion,
then 2nd inversion, then in 3rd inversion (the maj7th
will be the lowest note of the chord) Play each chord
up and down the keyboard for at least 2 octaves -- maybe
3 octaves. Play them with your left hand, then play them
with your right hand. Then play them hands together.
Go
through all 12 major chords, inverting every one. Then go
through all the 12 minor chords, inverting each one up and
down the keyboard -- hands alone, then hands together. Then
go through all 12 diminished chords, inverting each one
up and down the keyboard -- each hand alone, then together.
Then play the 12 augmented chords, up and down the keyboard.
Then skip around from major to minor to diminished to augmented,
etc.
Then
add minor 6th chords to your repertoire of chords. They
are shown in root position above, but you know that you
can turn them upside down 'till the cows come home -- invert
them -- so go to it!
And
then add 7th chords and their inversions....and finally,
add the maj7th chords we've learned today.
Do you feel like you're getting a handle on chords yet?
You ought to -- I know we're going slowly, but chords are
SO important that you absolutely MUST master them if you
are ever going to play the piano like you hope to!
So here's our revised chord scorecard:
12
major chords
to
12 minor chords
to
12 diminished chords
to
12 augmented chords
and
12 major 6th chords
and
12 minor 6th chords
and
12 7th chords
and
12 maj7th chords
and 3
or 4 inversions of each
which means you can now play
0ver 350 chords!'
Way to go!
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Next lesson we will add 12 more
chords to our growing list of chords we can play by adding
9th chords to our stash. (Actually 48 more chords, since
each 4-note chord such as a 9th can be inverted 4 ways --
root position, 1st inversion, 2nd inversion, and 3rd inversion
- and if your hand is big enough -- mine isn't --
4th inversion.)
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