Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

Chapter 8

Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

By Kate Oliphant

If we write out a natural minor scale and create seventh chords on top of each scale degree, we end up with the following pictured above. Let's figure out what type of seventh chord each one makes.

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Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 1?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 2?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 3?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 4?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 5?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 6?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 7?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• minor minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

The diatonic Roman numerals for the seventh chords in minor keys are pictured above. However, we know that minor keys often use the harmonic minor to alter the chords built on scale degrees 5 and 7. This means that typically, these two chords will feature the raised scale degree 7 (in this case, G#).

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Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 5 when the harmonic minor is used?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• diminished minor seventh

• diminished diminished seventh

Notice the seventh chord built on the raised scale degree seven on the left. It's triad (G# B D) is diminished, and it's seventh (G# F) is also diminished. This type of seventh chord is a diminished diminished seventh chord, or a fully diminished seventh chord. A fully diminished seventh chord is entirely made up of minor thirds (G# to B, B to D, D to F).

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A New Type of Seventh Chord

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Multiple Choice

What type of seventh chord is built on scale degree 7 when the harmonic minor is used?

• major major seventh

• major minor seventh

• half diminished seventh

• fully diminished seventh

The most common Roman numerals for the seventh chords in minor keys are pictured above. Notice the Roman numerals built on scale degree 5 and 7 reflect the use of the raised leading tone from the harmonic minor. The fully diminished seventh chord uses the ^o symbol without a slash through it.

Using the Harmonic Minor for Seventh Chords

Open Ended

What questions do you have about seventh chords in minor keys?