Minor Major Seventh Chords
What is a minor major seventh chord?
A minor major seventh chord is a four-note chord, which consists of four notes: the root, the minor third, the major fifth, and the major seventh.
Minor Major Seventh Chord Formula: 1-b3-5-7
The formula 1-b3-5-7 represents the intervallic structure of a minor major seventh chord:
- 1: The root note of the chord.
- b3: The minor third, which is three semitones above the root.
- 5: The major fifth, which is seven semitones above the root.
- 7: The major seventh, which is eleven semitones above the root.
For example, in a C minor major seventh chord:
- Root note (1): C
- Minor third (b3): Eb
- Major fifth (5): G
- Major seventh (7): B
The combination of these four notes (C, Eb, G, B) creates the sound of a C minor major seventh chord.
Characteristics of Minor Major Seventh Chords
Minor major seventh chords have a unique and somewhat melancholic quality due to the combination of minor and major intervals. They are often used to convey complex emotions and add depth to compositions.
Playing Minor Major Seventh Chords
On a piano or keyboard, minor major seventh chords are typically played by pressing the root note, the minor third, the major fifth, and the major seventh.
In guitar playing, minor major seventh chords are formed by pressing down specific combinations of strings and frets, following chord diagrams or finger positions.
