SEVENTH CHORD Meaning and
Definition
-
A seventh chord is a musical chord consisting of four notes arranged in tertian harmony, meaning the notes are stacked in intervals of thirds. Specifically, a seventh chord is constructed by adding a fourth note, the seventh, to a triad. The triad itself is formed by stacking three notes: the root, the third, and the fifth. When the seventh is added to the triad, it creates a seventh chord.
The most common type of seventh chord is the major seventh chord, which adds a major seventh interval above the root to the triad. This creates a distinctive and often sophisticated sound. Alternatively, a minor seventh chord is formed by adding a minor seventh above the root. This chord has a unique, melancholic quality to it. Other types of seventh chords include dominant seventh, diminished seventh, and half-diminished seventh chords, each with their own distinct intervals and tonal qualities.
Seventh chords are commonly used in various genres of music, including jazz, blues, and classical. Their inclusion provides richness, tension, and depth to harmonies, and they often serve as transitional chords in progressions. Seventh chords can be voiced and played in various inversions and positions, resulting in different sonic characteristics and emotional nuances. In summary, a seventh chord is a chord consisting of four notes, adding a seventh interval to a triad, and it is an essential element in creating complex, expressive harmonies in music.
Common Misspellings for SEVENTH CHORD
- aeventh chord
- zeventh chord
- xeventh chord
- deventh chord
- eeventh chord
- weventh chord
- swventh chord
- ssventh chord
- sdventh chord
- srventh chord
- s4venth chord
- s3venth chord
- secenth chord
- sebenth chord
- segenth chord
- sefenth chord
- sevwnth chord
- sevsnth chord
- sevdnth chord
Etymology of SEVENTH CHORD
The word "seventh chord" comes from the combination of two components: "seventh" and "chord".
The term "seventh" refers to the musical interval of a seventh, which is the difference in pitch between two notes that are seven diatonic scale degrees apart. It originated from the Latin word "septimus", meaning "seventh" or "the seventh". In early music theory, the seventh interval was considered dissonant and required resolution to a consonant interval.
The term "chord" refers to a group of three or more notes played together to create harmony. It is derived from the Latin word "chorda", meaning "string".
Combining these two components, "seventh chord" describes a chord that includes a seventh interval between its lowest and highest note.
Similar spelling words for SEVENTH CHORD
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
