Minor Seventh Chords
Let’s look at how to play a Dm7 (D minor seventh) chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any 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. Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching minor scale (learn how to build minor scales here).
We can also build a minor chord by taking a major chord and lowering the middle note 1/2 step.
Then we’ll find the seventh note of the matching major scale and lower it 1/2 step (learn how to build a major scale here).
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.).
How to Play a Dm7 Chord
Now let’s build a Dm7 chord on the piano. We’ll start by playing a D minor chord using the first, third and fifth notes of a D minor scale: D – F – A.
These are also the notes we get if we start with a D major chord (D – F♯ – A), and lower the middle note 1/2 step.
Then we’ll find the seventh note of the D major scale, C♯, and lower it 1/2 step to C.
So to play a Dm7 chord, we’ll play:
D – F – A – C
You can use this pattern to build any minor seventh chord. First build a minor chord, then find the seventh note of the matching major 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
Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth
Conclusion
Now you know how to build a Dm7 chord on the piano, and you can use this pattern to build any minor seventh chord.
Using chords to learn the piano is a wonderful way to see patterns and possibilities on the piano!
0 Comments