MUSIC THEORY

Interval Focus: Sevenths

Find sevenths by stepping back from the octave.

The seventh letter

C, D, E, F, G, A, B make seven letter names. C–B and C–B♭ are both sevenths.

One or two steps below the octave

The next C is twelve semitones away. C–B is a major seventh (M7) at eleven, one step below it. C–B♭ is a minor seventh (m7) at ten, two steps below it. The two target keys are adjacent.

Practice the relationship

Find the octave from any root, then move back one or two keys to identify M7 and m7.

See the notes behind every chord.

Explore piano keys and guitar frets, hear how chord progressions move, and bring music theory into your playing with Genchord.

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