Four commonly seen seventh chords
| Symbol | Correct notes | Interval of seventh above root | What to remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7 | C–E–G–B♭ | Minor seventh, 10 semitones | Major triad + minor seventh |
| G7 | G–B–D–F | Minor seventh, 10 semitones | Often leads toward C |
| Am7 | A–C–E–G | Minor seventh, 10 semitones | Minor triad + minor seventh |
| Cmaj7 | C–E–G–B | Major seventh, 11 semitones | Do not confuse with C7 |
Am7 contains a minor third C, whereas C7 contains a major third E; do not assume the chord quality is determined by the seventh alone.
Original three-bar contrast
Play bar 1 C7 (C E G B♭) on beat 1 and sustain; bar 2 Cmaj7 (C E G B); bar 3 Am7 (A C E G). Count all four beats before each change. Focus on the half-step B♭→B as you move between the first two bars. Then try a small four-bar accompaniment | Cmaj7 | Am7 | G7 | C | to hear G7 returning to a plain major home chord.
Practical voicing limits
Four chord tones may be awkward in one hand. Play roots with the left hand while the right plays three upper notes, or omit duplicate roots when the bass already supplies them. A common simplified G7 voicing is B–D–F over low G, preserving its defining third and seventh. This is a beginner arrangement, not a complete definition of jazz harmony.
Ear test
Without looking, compare C7 and Cmaj7 twice. Try to sing their differing top note, then use the keyboard to check. If you cannot hear it, play just B♭ and B alternately before adding the rest of each chord. For context see 12-bar blues and chord symbols.
Sources and scope
Source and topic references checked 28 October 2026. The linked articles/course outlines substantiate the indicated general principles and coverage, not our precise original exercise, performance effectiveness, or a first-hand review. Music studies here were independently composed for this site; external musician review before publishing is still outstanding.
- Berklee Online — Music Theory 101 syllabus — notation, triads, inversions, rhythm, lead sheets or key relationships named in the syllabus; not a performance assessment of our examples.
- Berklee Online — Piano Chords 101 syllabus — keyboard chord construction, lead-sheet playing and voicing topics described in the course overview; not verification of our original voicings.