Diatonic Seventh Chords
Extend every diatonic triad by one more third, and a major key reveals its full family of seventh chords.
The seven diatonic seventh chords
Just like the seven diatonic triads, stacking one more third on top of each gives every major key its own family of seventh chords:
| Degree | Numeral | Quality | In C major |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imaj7 | Major 7 | Cmaj7 |
| 2 | iim7 | Minor 7 | Dm7 |
| 3 | iiim7 | Minor 7 | Em7 |
| 4 | IVmaj7 | Major 7 | Fmaj7 |
| 5 | V7 | Dominant 7 | G7 |
| 6 | vim7 | Minor 7 | Am7 |
| 7 | viim7♭5 | Half-diminished | Bm7♭5 |
Common questions
What are the seven diatonic seventh chords of a major key?
Imaj7, iim7, iiim7, IVmaj7, V7, vim7, viim7♭5 — one per scale degree, using only the scale's own notes.
Why is the V chord a dominant 7 but the I chord a major 7?
Stacking thirds from the 5th degree naturally gives a major triad with a minor 7th (dominant 7); from the 1st degree, a major triad with a major 7th (major 7).
Which diatonic seventh chord is half-diminished?
The vii chord, built on the leading tone — always half-diminished (m7♭5) in a major key.
Why learn diatonic seventh chords instead of just triads?
They add richer color and function — jazz, R&B, and neo-soul lean on the full seventh chord set for nearly every chord.
Play every diatonic 7th chord on your instrument
Melody Monkey visualizes chords on a live guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano — in any key, instantly.
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