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The difference between a dominant 7th chord and a major 7th chord is the type of 7th interval used. In a dominant 7th chord, the 7th interval is a minor 7th above the root note, while in a major 7th chord, the 7th interval is a major 7th above the root note. This difference gives each chord a distinct sound and function in music.
To make a minor 7th chord, you combine the root note of the chord with a minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh interval above the root note.
The main difference between an F7 chord and an Fmaj7 chord is the presence of a major 7th interval. In an F7 chord, the 7th note is a minor 7th above the root note, while in an Fmaj7 chord, the 7th note is a major 7th above the root note. This gives the Fmaj7 chord a more "jazzy" or "sophisticated" sound compared to the F7 chord.
To create a dominant 7th chord, start with a major chord and add a minor 7th interval on top. This interval is a note that is one whole step lower than the root note of the chord. This combination of notes creates a dominant 7th chord, which has a strong and resolved sound in music.
A major interval is when the higher note is in the scale of the bottom note. Example. C to E is a major (3rd) interval because the note F is in the C major scale, but A to G is not a major interval because G is not in the A major scale, if it was A to G# then it would be a major (7th) interval because G# is in the A major scale. A minor interval (natural minor, no raised 7th) is exactly the same but you can think of it in 2 ways 1. the upper note is in the minor scale of the lower note e.g. A to F is a minor (6th) interval because the note F is in the A minor scale (not A major). 2. The upper note is a semitone down from the major scale of the lower note. Eg. G to F is a minor (7th) interval, because G to F# is a major (7th) interval and F is a semi tone down from F#, it is therefore minor. Intervals that are Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and Octaves or 8ths are neither major or minor because the upper note is in both the minor and major scale of the lower note, they are called 'perfect'
To build a 7th chord, start with a triad (three-note chord) and add a fourth note that is a seventh above the root note. The steps involved are: 1. Determine the root note of the chord. 2. Build a triad using the root note, a third, and a fifth above it. 3. Add a seventh note that is a seventh above the root note to create the 7th chord.
Major 7th
A 7th chord is diminished because it contains a diminished 5th interval between the root and the 5th note of the chord. This creates a dissonant and tense sound in the chord.
The difference between a 7th chord and a major 7th chord is that a 7th chord includes a minor 7th interval, while a major 7th chord includes a major 7th interval.
Minor 7th
The main difference between a major 7th chord and a dominant 7th chord is the interval between the root note and the 7th note. In a major 7th chord, the 7th note is a half step below the root, creating a smooth and consonant sound. In a dominant 7th chord, the 7th note is a whole step below the root, creating a more tense and dissonant sound. Major 7th chords are often used in jazz and bossa nova music for their dreamy and sophisticated quality, while dominant 7th chords are commonly used in blues and funk music for their bluesy and unresolved sound.
To write a dominant 7th chord, start with the root note of the chord, then add the major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh above that root note. The formula for a dominant 7th chord is 1-3-5-b7.