What is the function of a dominant seventh chord in music theory?

The function of a dominant seventh chord in music theory is to create tension that resolves to the tonic chord. It enhances the pull towards the home key by introducing a dissonance with the added minor seventh interval above the root, heightening the expectation for resolution.

How is a dominant seventh chord constructed?

A dominant seventh chord is constructed by adding a minor seventh interval above the root of a major triad. This results in four notes: the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

What are some examples of songs that use dominant seventh chords?

Some songs that use dominant seventh chords include "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles, "Stormy Weather" by Etta James, and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police.

How does a dominant seventh chord resolve in different musical contexts?

A dominant seventh chord typically resolves to the tonic chord in traditional harmony, creating a sense of resolution. It can also resolve to the submediant in deceptive cadences or modulate to different keys in jazz and contemporary contexts, offering various expressive possibilities depending on the musical style.

What is the difference between a dominant seventh chord and a major seventh chord?

A dominant seventh chord consists of a major triad plus a minor seventh above the root, while a major seventh chord consists of a major triad plus a major seventh above the root. The key difference lies in the interval of the seventh note.

Identify the intervals in a dominant seventh chord.

Major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh.

How is a dominant seventh chord often used in jazz?

It is used for complex chord extensions and alterations.

What is a dominant seventh chord?

A chord consisting of three notes: root, perfect fifth, and major seventh.

What is a popular use of the dominant seventh chord in music genres like jazz and blues?

It primarily resolves melodic lines to major chords

What are the intervals in a dominant seventh chord?

Root, minor third, augmented fifth, major seventh

Dominant Seventh: Chord & Inversions

dominant seventh

The dominant seventh chord, a staple in Western music theory, is built on the fifth degree of a major or minor scale and consists of a major triad with an added minor seventh interval. Comprising four notes—root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh—it creates a sense of tension that naturally resolves to the tonic chord. Mastery of the dominant seventh, often denoted as V7, is essential for understanding harmony and chord progressions in genres ranging from classical to jazz and pop.

Get started

What is a Dominant Seventh

Dominant seventh is a fundamental concept in music theory. It refers to a specific type of chord that plays a significant role in shaping the harmony and tension within music compositions. The unique sound of a dominant seventh chord is both versatile and influential across many musical genres.

Structure of a Dominant Seventh Chord

To understand the structure of a dominant seventh chord, you need to focus on the intervals between the notes. The chord is built upon four notes: the root, major third, perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. Here is how these components relate to one another:

Root: This is the base or starting note of the chord.
Major Third: An interval of four semitones above the root.
Perfect Fifth: An interval of seven semitones above the root.
Minor Seventh: An interval of ten semitones above the root.

Understanding the Dominant Seventh Chord

The dominant seventh chord holds a prominent place in music theory and composition. Known for its tension and resolution, this chord is essential to creating musical passage movement. By examining its structure and applications, you'll gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of its role in music.

Dominant Seventh Chord: A four-note chord consisting of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Building the Chord

To build a dominant seventh chord, you'll start with the root note, then add the major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

**Root**: The foundational pitch of the chord.
**Major Third**: An interval of four semitones above the root.
**Perfect Fifth**: An interval of seven semitones above the root.
**Minor Seventh**: An interval of ten semitones above the root.

The combination of these notes creates a distinct sound that is both compelling and versatile in various musical styles.

Consider the G7 chord, a popular dominant seventh chord:

Note	Interval	Example in G7
Root	G	G
Major Third	4 semitones	B
Perfect Fifth	7 semitones	D
Minor Seventh	10 semitones	F

The tension created by the dominant seventh chord often makes listeners expect it to resolve to a tonic chord.

In jazz, blues, and many other genres, the dominant seventh is frequently used due to its versatility in providing harmonic movement. It's integral to blues progressions, often appearing in every chord of a standard 12-bar blues form. In jazz, the chord allows for extensions and alterations that contribute to the genre's rich harmonic vocabulary. Moreover, while the classical use of dominant seventh chords focuses on tension-resolution mechanics, modern music genres exploit its dissonant qualities to achieve unique soundscapes.

A Dominant Seventh Chord is Built on Which Scale Degree

In music theory, it is essential to know which scale degree serves as the foundation for constructing a dominant seventh chord. This understanding helps in analyzing and composing music effectively.

Understanding Scale Degrees

A scale degree refers to the position of a particular note within a scale. In a major scale, there are seven scale degrees, each identified by a number from one to seven. The dominant seventh chord specifically focuses on the fifth degree of the scale, also known as the dominant.

Dominant Scale Degree: The fifth note of a scale, which serves as the root for forming dominant seventh chords.

To illustrate, take the C major scale as an example:

Scale Degree	Note
1	C
2	D
3	E
4	F
5	G (Dominant)
6	A
7	B

In this case, the G is the fifth degree and acts as the root of the G7 chord.

To find the dominant seventh chord in any major scale, simply identify the fifth note and build the chord based on that root note.

The use of the dominant seventh chord on the fifth scale degree is not arbitrary. Historically, composers and theorists recognized the 'pull' back to the tonic, attributed to the strong harmonic relationships created by the intervals in the dominant seventh chord. This concept eventually became standard in Western tonal music, shaping compositional practices from the common practice period to today's popular music. The prominence of the dominant seventh also facilitates modulation to different keys, often used as a pivot in complex musical pieces.

Dominant Seventh Chord Inversions

A dominant seventh chord can be rearranged in a number of ways to create various inversions. These inversions alter the bass note and change the chord's sound and function within a progression. Understanding these inversions can provide greater flexibility and creativity in your music composition and analysis.

Identifying Inversions

Chord Inversion: A rearrangement of a chord where a note other than the root is featured in the bass.

The dominant seventh chord has four different inversions, each determined by the chord member that appears as the lowest (or bass) note. Here are the inversions for a G7 chord:

Root Position: The root (G) is in the bass.
First Inversion: The third (B) is in the bass.
Second Inversion: The fifth (D) is in the bass.
Third Inversion: The seventh (F) is in the bass.

Each inversion provides a different tonal and harmonic feel, influencing how the chord resolves in a progression.

Consider the G7 chord and its inversions:

Inversion	Notes
Root Position	G - B - D - F
First Inversion	B - D - F - G
Second Inversion	D - F - G - B
Third Inversion	F - G - B - D

Inversions can help smooth the transition between chords in progressions by minimizing the movement between bass notes.

Inversions are used not only to add variety and complexity to music but also to solve practical issues in voice leading. For instance, placing a specific chord tone in the bass can highlight its melodic importance or support a specific voice line within the musical texture. The use of inversions can be traced back to the Baroque period, where basso continuo parts necessitated flexibility in harmonization. Today, these inversions permeate various music styles, from classical compositions to modern pop and jazz, where they contribute to smooth voice leading and lend harmonic interest to chord progressions.

Dominant Seventh Chord Analysis

Analyzing the dominant seventh chord requires a comprehensive understanding of its function, variations, and impact within musical compositions. This chord is crucial in creating tension and anticipation, often resolving to the tonic chord in a chord progression.

Function in Music

The primary function of the dominant seventh chord is to create tension that necessitates resolution. It leads the music naturally towards a more stable harmonical point, usually back to the tonic or the home key. This predictable resolution makes the dominant seventh a pillar of Western harmony.

For example, in a C major key, a G7 chord (G-B-D-F) often resolves to a C major chord (C-E-G). This transition makes listeners feel a sense of completion and rest, which is why the dominant seventh is so essential in both classical and popular music genres.

Variations and Usage

Dominant seventh chords can vary in their construction and usage, depending on the musical style and intent. Composers often use altered dominant chords to inject unexpected elements or dramatic shifts in a piece. Some common variations include:

Altered Chords: Changing one or more notes to create a different flavor of tension.
Suspended Dominant: Substituting or adding tones for a suspended sound.

Exploring these variations helps in expanding the harmonic vocabulary and adaptability of the dominant seventh.

In jazz, the dominant seventh chord's versatility is frequently used for complex chord extensions and alterations. Jazz musicians often add tensions like the ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth to traditional dominant seventh chords to produce more intricate sounds. These extensions allow for additional harmonic exploration and are crucial in jazz improvisation, where these chords create richer, more compelling progressions. Furthermore, the use of tritone substitution, where another chord with similar intervallic properties replaces the dominant seventh, is a popular technique in jazz harmony that adds sophistication to musical arrangements. Tritone substitution often involves replacing the dominant chord with another dominant chord a tritone away, adding unexpected colors and facilitating smooth modulation.

dominant seventh - Key takeaways

Dominant seventh: A chord built with four notes: root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, which creates a distinct tension and resolution in music.
Chard structure: It includes intervals: root, major third (4 semitones above root), perfect fifth (7 semitones), and minor seventh (10 semitones).
Scale degree foundation: A dominant seventh chord is built on the fifth scale degree of a major scale, also known as the dominant.
Chord inversions: Dominant seventh chord can be inverted, featuring different bass notes: root, first inversion (third in bass), second inversion (fifth in bass), and third inversion (seventh in bass).
Chord function: Creates tension leading to resolution to the tonic chord, a fundamental aspect of Western harmony, used in classical and popular music.
Dominant seventh variations: Variations like altered and suspended dominants can alter tonality for different harmonic effects, particularly in jazz.

dominant seventh

StudySmarter Editorial Team