Julie Swihart

Minor Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play a Gm7 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.

This means to build a minor seventh chord, we can 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 a minor scale here).

Another way to build a minor chord is to build the matching major chord, and lower the middle note 1/2 step.

Then to convert the minor chord into a minor seventh chord, we can 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, augmented, diminished, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play a Gm7 Chord

So to build a Gm7 chord, we’ll start by building a Gm chord. We’ll use the first, third and fifth notes of the G minor scale: G – B♭ – D.

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

So to play a Gm7 chord on the piano, we’ll play:

G – B♭ – D – F

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

Chord Fingering

To play the Gm7 chord with your right hand, use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 (thumbs are 1’s). Or to play it with your left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 2 – 1.

Other Chord Types

Here are some other chord types you can learn:

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

Conclusion

Now you know how to play a Gm7 chord, and you can use this pattern to build any minor seventh chord.

Piano chords are a wonderful way to learn and enjoy the piano!