Major 7th Chord

I choose to begin with Major 7ths because of their simplicity. They are not the most common form of 7th chord, but could easily come in second. As with simple chords, it is important that we be able to think in the key of the root of the chord. In order to describe how this chord is built, we will refer to the Triad and the 7th interval. For the Major 7th chord, we use a Major/Major construction. Quite simply, this means a Major triad, and a Major 7th interval above the root.

As an example, let's form a G Major 7th chord.

1. A Major 7th chord is made up of a Major triad, and a Major 7th interval.
2. The name of the chord gives us the root, that is, G.
3. We know that a G Major triad is made up of G, B, and D.
4. The Major 7th Interval above G is F#.
5. Therefore, the notes G, B, D, and F# make up the G Major 7th chord.

G Maj 7th

Let us follow the same procedure again to form a Bb Major 7th chord.

1. A Major 7th chord is made up of a Major triad, and a Major 7th interval.
2. The name of the chord gives us the root, that is, Bb.
3. We know that a Bb Major triad is made up of Bb, D, and F.
4. The Major 7th Interval above Bb is A.
5. Therefore, the notes Bb, D, F, and A make up the Bb Major 7th chord.

Bb Maj 7th

We will now begin to create a new chart for the construction of 7th Chords based on this Triad/Interval method.

Here is the chart as applied to a C chord: