Julie Swihart

Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play a G7 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building 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 can 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 to convert the major chord into a seventh chord, we can 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 G7 Chord

So to build a G7 chord, we’ll start by building a G major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of a G major scale: G – B – D.

Then we’ll find the seventh note of the G major scale, F♯, and lower it 1/2 step, to an F.

So to play a G7 chord, we’ll play:

G – B – D – F

Now you know how to play a G7 chord on the piano!

You can use this pattern to build any seventh chord. First build a major chord, then find the seventh note of the matching major scale and lower it 1/2 step.

Chord Fingering

If this chord is played with the right hand, you can use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 (thumbs are 1’s). If played with the left hand, you can use fingers 5 – 3 – 2 – 1.

Other Chord Types

Some of the other chord types you can learn are:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor second
Fifth
Suspended
Sixth
Minor sixth
Minor seventh
Major seventh
Ninth
Minor ninth
Major ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to build a G7 chord on the piano, and you can use this pattern to build any seventh chord.

Using patterns to build chords is a wonderful way to learn the piano. Piano chords leave so much room for personal expression and creativity, and once you begin seeing the patterns, the piano takes on new life!