Articles tagged with: "7"
Major Seventh Chord: The Jazz Standard of Sophistication
The major seventh chord elevates the basic major triad with a rich, colorful extension: the major seventh interval. This creates a sophisticated, dreamy sound that is foundational to jazz, bossa...
Suspended Chords: A Guide to Creating Tension and Motion in Music
Suspended chords, or "sus" chords, are a vital tool for any songwriter, composer, or musician. By replacing the defining third of a chord with either a more neutral second (sus2) …
Unlocking the Lydian Dominant (Lydian b7): A Comprehensive Guide
Dive deep into the Lydian Dominant scale (Lydian b7), the sound behind *The Simpsons* theme and countless jazz solos. This guide breaks down its theory, shows you how to build …
Minor Major Seventh Chord: The Mysterious Harmony
The minor major seventh chord (mMaj7) is a unique and sophisticated four-note harmony that combines the melancholic quality of a minor triad with the bright tension of a major seventh. …
Mastering the 7#11 Chord: The Complete Guide to Lydian Dominant Harmony
The 7#11 chord, also known as the dominant seventh sharp eleven or lydian dominant chord, is a rich and colorful extension of the dominant seventh chord. This sophisticated harmony adds …
The Hendrix Chord: Deconstructing the Dominant 7#9
Unravel the mystery behind one of rock's most iconic sounds. From its jazz origins to its explosive impact in the hands of Jimi Hendrix, we'll explore the theory, application, and …
The Ultimate Guide to the Dominant Seventh Chord
If there's one chord that acts as the engine of Western music, it's the dominant seventh. You've heard its tense, unresolved sound countless times in everything from Bach to blues, …
Half-Diminished Chord: The Sophisticated Minor Seventh Flat Five
Often called the Minor Seventh Flat Five (m7b5), the half-diminished chord is a cornerstone of musical sophistication. It masterfully balances the moody tension of a diminished triad with the smooth...
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Minor Seventh Chord: The Sound of Cool
The minor seventh chord is a four-note chord built from a minor triad with an added minor seventh. Its sound is often described as smooth, melancholic, or sophisticated, creating a …
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The i-VI-ii-V7 Progression: Unlocking Minor Key Harmony in Jazz
The i-VI-ii-V7 is one of jazz's most elegant and emotionally resonant harmonic sequences. Rooted in the minor key, this progression masterfully blends the somber quality of the tonic with a …
A Guide to Dominant Modulation: Changing Keys Like a Pro
Dominant modulation is a cornerstone of Western music, providing a smooth and powerful way to change keys. This article demystifies this essential harmonic tool, exploring what it is, how it …
Unlocking the Maj7#5 Chord: A Deep Dive into its Sound and Application
The Maj7#5 chord is a paradox: simultaneously floating and tense, beautiful and unsettling. This article explores its unique sonic qualities, from its theoretical construction as an augmented triad...
The Complete Musician's Guide to Altered Dominant (7alt) Chords
The altered dominant, commonly notated as 7alt, is a sophisticated dominant 7th chord that incorporates one or more altered extensions (b9, #9, b5, #5) to create maximum harmonic tension. This …
The Ultimate Guide to the 12-Bar Blues
The 12-bar blues is a foundational chord progression and song structure that serves as the bedrock of blues music and has profoundly influenced jazz, rock and roll, country, and R&B. …
Minor Ninth Interval: Expanding Beyond the Octave
The minor ninth interval is a compound interval spanning thirteen semitones, equivalent to an octave plus a minor second. This interval creates a distinctive sound that is both dissonant and...
Altered Chords: Adding Color and Tension to Your Music
Altered chords are a cornerstone of modern harmony, providing a rich palette of tension and release by chromatically modifying standard chord tones. This guide demystifies altered dominant chords,...
I-IV-V-I Chord Progression: The Foundation of Western Music
The I-IV-V-I chord progression is arguably the most important harmonic sequence in Western music. This powerful and versatile progression serves as the structural backbone for countless songs in...
Unlocking Exotic Sounds: A Deep Dive into the Half-Whole Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 2)
Delve into the Half-Whole Diminished Scale, a cornerstone of modern harmony also known as Synthetic Scale 2. Learn its symmetrical construction, its powerful use over dominant chords in jazz, and …
12-Bar Blues Progression: The Foundation of American Popular Music
The 12-bar blues is the most important and influential chord progression in the history of American popular music. This foundational harmonic cycle, built on the I, IV, and V chords, …