Minor Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play an A flat minor 7 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other minor seventh chord.

What Are Minor Seventh Chords?

Minor seventh chords are minor chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So to build a minor seventh chord, we’ll start by building a minor chord. To build a minor chord, we can start by building a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then we’ll lower the middle note 1/2 step to convert the major chord into a minor chord.

Next we’ll find the seventh note of the matching major scale and lower it 1/2 step, before adding it to the chord.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 35-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note and type.

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How to Play an A Flat Minor 7 Chord on the Piano

So to build an A flat minor 7 chord, we’ll start by building an A flat minor chord. We can build an A flat minor chord by first building an A flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the A flat major scale: A♭ – C – E♭

Then we’ll convert the A flat major chord into an A flat minor chord by lowering the middle note 1/2 step: A♭ – C♭ – E♭

Then we’ll find the seventh note of the A flat major scale, G, and lower it 1/2 step before adding it to the chord: G♭

So to play an A flat minor 7 chord, we’ll play:

A♭ – C♭ – E♭ – G♭

You can use this pattern to build any other minor seventh chord. First play a minor chord by finding the matching major chord, and lowering the middle note 1/2 step. Then find the seventh note of the matching major scale, lower it 1/2 step, and add it to the chord.

Chord Fingering

To play the A flat minor 7 chord with your right hand, use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5. To play the chord with your left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 2 – 1 (thumbs are 1’s).

Other Seventh Chords

Since there are different types of seventh chords, it can be helpful to compare their differences:

Seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So an A flat 7 chord is: A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭

Minor seventh chords are minor chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So an A flat minor 7 chord is: A♭ – C♭ – E♭ – G♭

Major seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale.

So an A flat major 7 chord is: A♭ – C – E♭ – G

Other Chord Types

Some of the other chord types you can learn are:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Sixth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to play an A flat minor 7 chord on the piano, and you can use this knowledge to build any other minor seventh chord.

Using chords to learn the piano is a wonderful way to enjoy music and to play creatively!