Major 7, Minor 7 & Dominant 7
Three of the most-used seventh chords in modern music, and one small formula change is all that separates them.
The formulas, side by side
| Chord | Triad | 7th | Semitones | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major 7 (maj7) | Major | Major 7th | 0-4-7-11 | Lush, dreamy |
| Minor 7 (m7) | Minor | Minor 7th | 0-3-7-10 | Mellow, smooth |
| Dominant 7 (7) | Major | Minor 7th | 0-4-7-10 | Bluesy, unresolved |
Notice the pattern: major 7 and dominant 7 share the same major triad, but major 7 uses a major 7th while dominant 7 uses a minor 7th. That single note is the entire difference between a smooth, floaty maj7 and a gritty, tension-filled dominant 7.
Why dominant 7 wants to resolve
A dominant 7 chord's 3rd and 7th form a tritone — the most unstable interval in tonal music. That built-in tension is exactly why the V7 chord pulls so hard toward the tonic, powering the authentic cadence and giving blues and jazz their characteristic pull.
Common questions
What is the formula for a major 7 chord?
Root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th (0-4-7-11) — a major triad with a major 7th on top.
What is the formula for a minor 7 chord?
Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th (0-3-7-10) — a minor triad with a minor 7th on top.
What makes a dominant 7 chord different?
A major triad with a minor 7th on top (0-4-7-10) — mixing bright and dark for built-in tension.
Why is the dominant 7 chord used on the V chord?
Its 3rd and 7th form a tritone, resolving powerfully into the tonic's 3rd — the engine behind the authentic cadence.
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