Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Seventh chords are built upon triads.

Major 7 = 1 3 5 + a major 7th

Dominant 7 = 135 + a minor 7th

minor 7 = 1 b3 5 + a minor 7th

minor 7 b5 = 1 b3 b5 + a minor 7th

diminished 7 = 1 b3 b5 + a double flatted 7th (Major 6th)

In jazz, Major7 is notated with a triangle symbol

A minor 7 is notated with a slash mark -

A minor 7 b5 is also known as a half diminished chord and is notated with a circle and a slash through it

A diminished 7 chord is notated is notated with a small circle

Here are seventh chords starting from C:

Cmaj7 = C E G B

C7 = C E G Bb

Cm7 = C Eb G Bb

Cm7b5 = C Eb Gb Bb

Cdim = C Eb Gb Bbb

Here are examples from G:

Gmaj7 = G B D F#

G7 = G B D F

Gmi7 = G Bb D F

Gm7b5 = G Bb Db F

G dim = G Bb Db Fb

Examples of songs with major 7 chords:

Where We Start: David Gilmour
Tin Man: America
Imagine: John Lennon
Peg: Steely Dan
What's Going On: Marvin Gaye
Something: The Beatles
Kiss Me: Sixpence None The Richer
Most Jazz songs

Examples of songs with Dom7 and mi7:

Most Blues and Jazz songs:

The Thrill Is Gone: B.B. King
Stormy Monday: various Blues artists
Equinox: John Coltrane
All Blues: Miles Davis
Freddie Freeloader: Miles Davis
Mr. P.C.: John Coltrane

Examples of songs with Diminished chords:

Most Jazz songs
Blues