Major Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play a B flat major seventh chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other major seventh chord.

What Are Major Seventh Chords?

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

To build a major seventh chord, we’ll start by building a major chord. Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.

Then to convert the major chord into a major seventh chord, we’ll add the seventh note of the matching major scale.

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.

Get the Printable

How to Play a B Flat Major Seventh Chord

So to play a B flat major seventh chord, we’ll start by building a B flat major chord. We can build a B flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the B flat major scale: B♭ – D – F

Then we’ll add the seventh note of the B flat major scale to the chord: A

So to play a B flat major seventh chord, we’ll play:

B♭ – D – F – A

We can use this pattern to build any other major seventh chord! We can first build a major chord, then we can add the seventh note of the matching major scale.

Chord Fingering

To play this chord with your right hand, use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5. With the 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 help 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 a B♭7 chord is: B♭ – D – F – A♭

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

So a B♭maj7 chord is: B♭ – D – F – A

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 a B♭m7 chord is: B♭ – D♭ – F – A♭

Other Chord Types

Some other chord types you can learn are:

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

Conclusion

Now you know how to play a B flat major seventh chord on the piano, and you can use this knowledge to build any other major seventh chord!

One of the great things about chords is they can be used to play all styles of music. They also leave lots of room for creativity!