Julie Swihart

Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play a D7 (D seventh) chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for playing any seventh chord.

What Are Seventh Chords?

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 to build a 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 (learn how to build a major scale here).

Then we’ll find the seventh note of the matching major scale and lower it 1/2 step.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play a D7 Chord

Now let’s build the D7 chord on the piano. We’ll start by building a D major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the D major scale: D – F♯ – A.

Then we can find the seventh note of the D major scale, C♯, and lower it 1/2 step to C.

So to play a D7 chord, we’ll play:

D – F♯ – A – C

You can use this pattern to build any seventh chord. First build a major chord by playing the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then find the seventh note of the same scale, and lower it 1/2 step.

Other Chord Types

There are many other chord types you can learn. Here are some others:

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

Conclusion

Now you know how to build a D7 chord on the piano, and you can use that knowledge to build any seventh chord.

Using patterns to build chords is a wonderful way to learn the piano, since the patterns can be applied again and again, starting on any note!