Minor Seventh chord - ukulele
The minor seventh chord (m7 or min7) is a four-note chord formed by a minor triad and a minor seventh. It's a widely used chord in jazz and blues.
Intervals
| Degree | I | ♭III | V | ♭VII |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | Root | Minor third | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh |
| Semitones | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Formula 1 - ♭3 - 5 - ♭7
Theory
The m7 chord adds a minor seventh (10 semitones) to the minor triad. C m7 = C-E♭-G-B♭, D m7 = D-F-A-C. It's naturally consonant and often serves as a passing chord or IIm7 in II-V-I progressions. The fifth can be omitted in compact voicings.
Examples
Example: Do Minor Seventh
Bass fret 3
Styles
M7 chord construction
Formula 1 - 3b - 5 - 7b: minor triad + minor seventh. Example Am7: A - C - E - G. Soft modal color, jazz pillar.
Learning
1) Easy open positions 2) ii-V-I progression (Dm7-G7-C) 3) Dorian mode 4) Funk: syncopated rhythms.
How to play
Very accessible open positions (Am7, Em7, Dm7). Used as IIm7 in ii-V-I. Characteristic Dorian mode. Funk: percussive voicings.