Diatonic 7th chords

Since we’ve treated all the popular chords in the 7^th chords family and how to create them, it’s time to put them to use.

However, we can’t put them to use unless we can reference it to a particular Diatonic Scale.

Firstly, remember that the Diatonic Scale is also known as the Major Scale with strong emphasis of notes belonging (that is diatonic) to a Particular Key.

The diatonic rule for the chords in the 7^th chords family states that:

The “1 Chord” is a Major 7^th chord

The “2 Chord” is a Minor 7^th chord

The “3 Chord” is a Minor 7^th chord

The “4 Chord” is a Major 7^th chord

The “5 Chord” is a Dominant 7^th chord

The “6 Chord” is a Minor 7^th chord

The “7 Chord” is a Half-Diminished 7^th chord

This means the diatonic 7^th chords in the of C major (with respect to the scale degrees/position in C) the:

“1 Chord” is a C Major 7^th chord

“2 Chord” is a D Minor 7^th chord

“3 Chord” is a E Minor 7^th chord

“4 Chord” is a F Major 7^th chord

“5 Chord” is a G Dominant 7^th chord

“6 Chord” is an A Minor 7^th chord

“7 Chord” is a B Half Diminished 7^th chord

Drill:

1. Write all the Diatonic 7^th Chords in the Key of F Major & Spell out the notes of each Chord.
2. Write all the Diatonic 7^th Chords in the Key of A Major & Spell out the notes of each Chord.
3. Write all the Diatonic 7^th Chords in the Key of Eb Major & Spell out the notes of each Chord.

In the next lesson we will start practical drills and chord progressions using the 7^th chords in various Diatonic Scales.